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CLIFF HOUSES 



SMALLER HISTORY 



OF 



THE UNITED STATES. 



BY 



JOSIAH W. LEEDS, 

AUTHOR OF A LARGER "HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES." 




PHILADELPHIA: 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 

18 82. 



Copyright, 1882, by Josiah W. Leeds. 






PREFATORY NOTE. 



The following work, written from the same view-point as the 
author's larger history (first edition 1877), has been prepared in 
response to sundry requests for a book of a more elementary 
character than that, which should be suitable for intermediate 
schools and for home students. 

In essaying to treat our country's wars more concisely than is 
customai-y in school histories, the author desires not to be mis- 
understood as in any wise depreciating the sincerity of purpose, 
or the spirit of self-sacrifice, which so largely animated many who 
were willing to give up their lives for their country. Yet, as was 
lately remarked by an influential London journal respecting the 
war of the Revolution, that even that conflict was one which, " in 
the opinion of all right-thinking men now alive upon both sides 
of the Atlantic, ought never to have taken place," there would 
seem to devolve a responsibility therefore upon writers of history 
for the young, that they endeavor to incline the minds of these 
to a consideration of that " more excellent way" of settling dis- 
putes which does not involve the dread appeal to arms. 

Assured, also, that the pictorial representations of scenes of 
violence with which the " boys' papers" of the day are filled, 
'have been influential in developing a habit of ready resort to the 
pistol and other weapons, the writer has carefully avoided the in- 
troduction of any illustrations which might tend to foster a pro- 
pensity so subversive of social order and good morals, and one 
on account of which the whole land even now mourns. 

It may be pertinently said here, with reference to a class of 
illustrations commonly employed in school histories, — I refer to 

3 



Prefatory Note. 



those representing battles with the Indians, — that these cannot 
be otherwise than unnecessarily humiliating to a people who, as 
has been abundantly proved, have been in almost every case of 
overt war the ones wronged, and not the aggressors. Vividly 
does the writer recall, after the lapse of more than a fourth of a 
century, the remark, vehemently uttered, of a lad who occupied 
the same form with him at school, that " he would wish no better 
fun than to go West to the plains and be given a chance to shoot 
the red-skins." Hence the need of fair statement upon the Indian 
question is specially called for in the school-room, where prejudices 
may originate which the corrected views of later life may be almost 
powerless to remove. 

As a compensation, it is hoped, for brevity in the direction 
which has been indicated, space has been found for the insertion 
of a lengthy chapter (xxiv.) upon the work of the various govern- 
ment departments, wherein the student will obtain an insight 
into such useful matters of current history and administration 
as the coast survey, the life-saving and weather-signal services, 
immigration, the revenue, the public lands, the geological survey 
of the Territories, etc. This chapter, which has involved much 
labor in the preparation, may divest the subject of government 
of something of the repugnance in which it is apt to be held by 
the youthful student, and make easier to his apprehension the 
subject-matter of some parts of the Constitution. 

Finally, in lieu of any teaching which might seem to support 
so narrow and mischievous a political maxim as that which de- 
clares for " my country, right or wrong," the attempt has been 
made, through the lessons deducible from our history, to magnify 
the truthfulness of that noble and more Christian motto of our 
late President, " I would rather be beaten in the Right, than 
succeed in the Wrong." 

J. W. L. 

Germantown, Philadelphia, 1882. 



CONTENTS. 



PERIOD I. 

THE EARLY INHABITANTS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
CHAPTER PAGE 

I.— The Mound-Builders and Cliff-Dvvellers 7 

II. — The North American Indians 12 



PERIOD II. 

EXPLORATIONS AND DISCOVERIES TO THE SETTLEMENT OF JAMESTOWN. 

III. — The Northmen in America ........ 20 

IV. — Explorations of the Spaniards ....... 23 

V. — English Discoveries in America ....... 30 

VI. — French Explorations and Attempts to Colonize .... 36 

PERIOD III. 

PERIOD OF COLONIZATION. 

VII.— Virginia 42 

VIII. — New Netherland — New York 50 

IX.— The New England Colonies 57 

X. — Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware ... 73 

XI. — The Carolinas and Georgia ........ 83 

XII. — The Wars between the English and French Colonies in America . 90 

XIII.— Colonial Discontent 100 

PERIOD IV. 

REVOLUTION, AND FORMATION OF A REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT. 

XIV. — The American Revolution . . . . . . . .107 

XV, — A Republican Government formed ...... 122 

XVI.— Formation of New States 127 

1* 5 



Contents. 



period v. 

PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATIONS TO THE CIVIL WAR. 
CHAPTER 

XVII. — Washington, Adams, and Jefferson . 
XVIII. — Madison, Monroe, and J. Q. Adams 
XIX. — Jackson and Van Buren . 
XX. — Harrison, Tyler, and Polk 
XXI. — Taylor, Fillmore, Pierce, and Buchanan 



PAGE 

137 
146 
161 
167 
174 



PERIOD VI. 

FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT. 

XXII. — Administration of Abraham Lincoln ..... 184 

XXIII. — Administrations of Johnson and Grant 203 

XXIV. — The Government Departments ....... 216 

1. Department of State .217 

2. Treasury Department 218 

3. War Department 227 

4. Navy Department 230 

5. Interior Department 231 

6. Post-Office Department 241 

7. Department of Justice 243 

Department of Agriculture 243 

Smithsonian Institution 244 

Fish Commission ........ 244 

XXV.— The Territories 245 

XXVI. — Administrations of Hayes and Garfield 251 



SUPPLEMENTARY MATTER. 

Course of Reading 265 

Chronological Table 268 

South American Chronology 276 

Declaration of Independence 278 

Constitution of the United States 282 

Index and Pronouncing Vocabulary ....... 297 



History of the United States. 



PERIOD I. 
THE EARLY INHABITANTS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE MOUND-BUILDERS AND CLIFF-DWELLERS. 

1. A large part of the United States was once peopled 
by a race who, because they built great mounds of earth, 
have been named the Mound-Builders. We do not know 
what was their real name. 

2. Mounds of Regular Shape. — The mounds were built 
in many different forms. Sometimes they were shaped 
like pyramids, not coming to a point at the top, but cut off, 
or truncated. Some were four-sided at the base ; others 
were six- or eight-sided. Others, again, appear to have 
been constructed with steps, winding to the summit. These 
last were, therefore, something like those Mexican pyra- 
mids called teocallis, upon whose summits sacrifices were 
once offered by the Aztec people to their gods. 

3. The Largest of these Regular-shaped Mounds have 
been found in the States which border on the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi Rivers. There is one at Miamisburg, Ohio, which 

7 



History of the United States. 



is 68 feet high, and 850 feet around the base; one in West 
Virginia is more than 70 feet high, and 1000 feet in circum- 




Regulau-Shaped Mounds, Washington 
County, Miss. — Height of high mound, 
55 feet; of platform, 10 feet; of road, 4 
feet ; of low mound, 8 feet. 



ference at the base. At Cahokia, Illinois, there is one still 
larger. Their usual height, however, is from 6 to 30 feet. 

4. Enclosures. — The Mound-Builders not only constructed 
mounds, they also formed large enclosures by building 
heavy embankments of earth and stones. These embank- 
ments were from 5 to 30 feet high, and appear to have 
been made use of as fortifications, or as places of refuge 
from attack. It is estimated that these enclosures in the 
State of Ohio alone number at least 1500. 

5. Odd-shaped Mounds. — There is a third class of these 
ancient constructions, made in various odd forms, such as 
those of birds, animals, and men, lying flat, and sometimes 
of great size. There is a very large one of this sort in 
Adams County, Ohio, shaped like a serpent, and holding 
an egg in its mouth. As this "egg" is 160 feet long and 
80 feet broad, the serpent itself is not a small one. In 
Licking County, in the same State, there is a similar curi- 
ous object made of earth, which is called the " Alligator." 

6. The Articles found within the Mounds are, besides 
human remains, implements, such as stone chisels, arrow- 



The Mound- Builders and Cliff-Dwellers. 



and lance-heads, axes, and knives; ornaments, such as 
bracelets and beads, generally made of copper, but some- 
times of silver or polished stones; also articles of pottery, 
and pipes in abundance. 

7. Use of the Mounds. — The mounds were used as sepul- 
chres, and perhaps also for the purposes of worship. Fre- 
quently a charred appearance is 
observable on their bare sum- 
mits, as though sacrifices had 
been there offered. Yet this 
appearance may also have been 
caused by their use as fire-sig- 
nal stations. 



&VL 




Mound-Builders' Enclosure, 
Miami Valley, Ohio. 



8. Dress and Habitations 
of the Mound-Builders. — The 
Mound-Builders did not dress 
themselves in skins like the 
Indians, who came later, but in 
woven garments, made of a ma- 
terial like hemp. They appear 
to have been a race of farmers, 
rather than fighters or hunters. 
They must have lived in tents 

or in wooden huts, for no trace of their dwellings has ever 
been found. 

9. When they came hither. — At what period the Mound- 
Builders came to North America is also unknown. We 
are sure it must have been hundreds of years ago, because 
every skull as yet found has been in a state of extreme 
decay. There is but a single one known to have been taken 
out and kept entire. A very good reason for believing that 
the mounds were built a long while ago is the fact that 
large trees, hundreds of years old, are found growing upon 



10 History of the United States. 

them. One trunk of a tree found upon a mound at Marietta, 
Ohio, showed 800 rings of annual growth. 

10. Conjectures as to where they came from. — "We are 
likewise ignorant as to where the Mound-Builders came 
from. Some learned people believe that they came from 
India or Egypt. It is the general opinion, however, that 
they came hither from Mexico and Central America. It is 
thought that after living in the land some centuries they 
were driven back by the present race of Indians, who 
appear to have come from the North. 

11. The Cliff-Dwellers. — Ruins of stone walls and towers 
have been found in the Rocky Mountain region, chiefly in 




Jill 

Elephant or Mastodon Mound, Grant County, Wis. — Lying flat on the ground; 
height, 5 feet; length, 135 feet. 

the south-western part of Colorado, and localities adjacent 
in New Mexico and Arizona. Arrow-points and fragments 
of pottery are plentiful. Some of the ruins are found on 
the meadows by the stream-courses ; others arc excavations 
or caves in the faces of low bluffs and cliffs ; others, again, 
are built in the shelves of rock high up on the sides of the 
canons. Whether this people inhabited the country of the 
Colorado at the same time that the Mound-Builders dwelt 
in the Valley of the Mississippi, we do not know. It is 
thought by some that they were the ancestors of the Moquis 
or Pueblos. Knowing nothing of their real name and his- 
tory, we speak of them now as the Cliff-Dwellers. 



The Mound-Builders and Cliff-Dwellers. 



11 



12. The Lowland Ruins are the remains of agricultural 
settlements, which were probably occupied by a peaceable 
people. The ordinary houses are square or of other rectan- 
gular shape. There is usually near each group of dwellings 
a circular ruin, resembling a tower, often as much as forty 
feet in diameter, and in many cases having double or triple 
walls. The spaces between the outer walls are divided by 
heavy partition-walls into a number of apartments. The 
inner or central portion 
of the tower may have 
been used as a council- 
chamber ; the apartments, 
as the receptacles of sacred 
or valuable property. It 
is likely that these struc- 
tures served as both tem- 
ples and fortifications. 
Other single-walled tow- 
ers, placed in command- 
ing situations along the 
canons, were apparently 
watch- or signal-towers. 




Ground-Plan of a Triple-Walled Tower 
of the Cliff Dwellers. 



13. The Cave-Dwellings may have been occupied by the 
same tribes that inhabited the lowland houses, for the pur- 
poses of retreat and defence from their enemies. Tliey 
were made by digging irregular cavities in the faces of the 
low bluffs and cliffs, where the stratum was of a soft rock. 
The fronts were then walled up, leaving only small door- 
ways, and an occasional small window at the side or top. 

14. The Cliff-Houses may have been used in times of in- 
vasion and war as places of security for their families when 
the warriors went forth to battle. Or they may have been 
used as permanent habitations when the tribes were driven 
from the meadow-lands to take refuge in those " fastnesses 



12 History of the United States. 



of the rock." They are neatly and firmly built of masonry 
on the shelves of rock, yet their construction must have 
cost a great deal of labor, as the stone and mortar had to 
be brought hundreds of feet up the face of precipitous cliffs. 
[See frontispiece.] 



CHAPTER II. 

THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 

1. When the islands and continent of America were dis- 
covered by Columbus and the Spanish explorers who suc- 
ceeded him, the native people were called by them Indians, 
for it was supposed that the land they had reached was part 
of India. 

2. Where the Race of Copper-colored Indians came from 
we know as little about as we do about the origin of the 
Mound-Builders. There is, or Mas, a tradition prevalent 
among the Indian tribes that their ancestors came from the 
North-West. As our Indians bear a resemblance to the 
nomads of Eastern Siberia, it is thought that their ances- 
tors crossed to this country either by way of Behriug's 
Strait or by the Aleutian chain of islands which stretch 
from Kamtschatka to Alaska. 

3. Language. — The speech of the North American In- 
dians comprises at least eight different languages, each 
of these languages including a large number of dialects. 
Yet, as there is a similarity in the grammatical structure 
of all, or nearly all, of these, it is inferred that the tribes 
had a common origin. They had no written language, but 
would sometimes represent their ideas by pictures drawn on 



14 



History of the United States. 



wood, bark, or stone, 
guttural in toue. 



Their speech is mostly harsh and 



4. The Dwellings of the Indians, their wigwams or 
lodges, were frequently formed of a framework of poles, 
bent together at the top, and covered with skins. Others 
were huts overlaid with bark. Some of these, as was the 
case with the Huron habitations, were 100 or even 200 feet 
in length, aud contained many families under one roof. On 
our Mexican border, in the region of the Lower Colorado 
and Gila Rivers, are the Pueblos or Village Indians. 




Primitive Ucltpatioxs and Amuse.me.nts of the Indians 



These live, many together, in large houses several stories 
high, made of adobe, — that is, mud mixed with chopped 
straw and sand or gravel, and baked in the sun. The 



The North American Indians. 15 

upper stories are less in size than those below, and are 
reached by ladders on the outside. 

5. Occupations and Amusements. — The chief occupations 
of the red men were hunting and fishing, constructing 
bark canoes, and making rude weapons and implements. 
They had the war-club, the tomahawk of stone, and the 
flint-headed arrow, for battle and for the chase ; hatchets 
of stone, stone lasts upon which to fashion their moccasins, 
knives of the same material to dress skins, and other simi- 
lar implements. Fish-bones served for angling-hooks, and 
animal or vegetable fibres for lines. The women tilled the 
ground, cooked, and did the hardest of the work. Indian 
corn and tobacco, squashes and beans, were the chief prod- 
ucts of their little garden -patches. The principal amuse- 
ments of the Indians were wrestling, running, leaping, and 
other athletic sports, together with games of chance and 
dancing. 

6. Their Traffic or Commerce was principally carried on 
with wampum in the East, and with copper and pipe-stone 
in the West. The wampum was made of shell, in the shape 
of beads, and was strung together. It was of two colors, 
white and black or dark-purple, — the dark beads being 
valued the higher. These strings of wampum were not 
only used as money, but also to serve as records of treaties, 
in which case many of them were joined together in the 
shape of belts. 

7. Government. — The tribes were ruled by sachems or 
chiefs. Although the government of a tribe generally con- 
tinued in the same family, yet if the people thought they 
had good reason for making a change, they would elect a 
ruler of their own choice. In every tribe were clans or 
bands, each of which was known by its totem, — generally a 
bird or an animal. Thus, a tribe would be divided into 
Wolves, Bears, Turtles, Crows, etc. 



16 History of the United States. 

8. Personal Appearance and Characteristics. — The In- 
dians, in their physical appearance, are usually tall and 
well formed, with skin of a copper color, high cheek-bones, 
and black hair and eyes. Although hardy and brave, hos- 
pitable and generous, they also delighted in cunning, and 
were cruel in their triumphs. Whilst too prone to revenge 
an injury, a deed of kindness shown them was never 
forgotten. 

9. Religion. — Their religion consisted in a belief in one 
Great Spirit, the Creator and Ruler of all things, and in 
many lesser spirits or manitous. Each lake, river, and 
mountain had its manitou, and these must be pacified by 
presents, such as beaver-skins, tobacco, meat, or any other 
article which the Indians highly prized. In place of priests, 
they had their " medicine-men" or sorcerers, their dreamers 
and interpreters of dreams. The Indians believed that 
after death the soul lived forever in the " happy hunting- 
grounds." 

10. The Tribes arranged in Four Groups. — The Indians 
who occupied the territory between the Atlantic Ocean and 
the Rocky Mountains may be arranged in four great groups, 
namely, the Algonkin, Iroquois, Mobilian, and Sioux or 
Dakota. 

(a) Algonkin. — The Algonkin family comprised the 
greatest number of tribes of any of the four groups. They 
inhabited most of the territory from Hudson's Bay on the 
north to the Ohio and Cape Fear Rivers on the south, and 
from the Atlantic Ocean westward to the Mississippi 
River. 

Some of the tribes of this group were the Chippeways 
of the Great Lakes ; the Abenakis of Maine ; the Mohi- 
cans and Narragansetts of New England ; the Lenni- 
Lenapes or Delawares; the Powhataus of Virginia; the 
Slmwnees of Kentucky; the Illinois and Miamis; and 
the Ottawas, Sacs and Foxes. 



The North American Indians. 17 

(b) Iroquois. — Surrounded on every side by tribes of 
the Algonkin was the land of the Iroquois. This family 
included the Hurons or Wyandots, in Upper Canada ; the 
Eries, south of Lake Erie ; but principally the confederacy 
of five warlike tribes which were known to the whites as 
the " Five Nations." 

These Five Nations were located in the State of New 
York, — the tribe farthest east, near the Hudson River, being 
the Mohawks ; next to them, on the west, the Oneidas ; 
then the Onondagas, the Cayugas, and the Senecas, in the 
order named. 

The Tuscaroras, in 1713, came northward from North 
Carolina, and, uniting with the five tribes, these became 
afterward known as the " Six Nations." 

(c) Mobilian. — In the region south of Kentucky and 
North Carolina, and between the. Atlantic Ocean and the 
Mississippi River, were the tribes composing the Mobilian 
group. The three large tribes of Creeks, Choctaws, and 
Chickasaws are the only ones which properly belong 
thus together. 

The languages of the Cherokees, Catawbas, Uchees, and 
Natchez are quite different from those of the three first- 
named, and also from one another. They are placed in this 
group simply for convenience of classification. 

The Natchez tribe dwelt by the Mississippi, near the 
present city of the same name. They had a wigwam temple 
and sacred fire, being worshippers of the sun. It is thought 
that they were a remnant of the Mound-Builders, and that 
their ancestors may have come from Mexico and Central 
America. 

(d) Dakotas or Sioux. — West of the Mississippi, from 
that river to the desert, dwelt the Dakotas or Sioux. South- 
ward, their country extended as far as the Arkansas River. 
The names of some of our cities, States, and rivers show 

b 2* 



18 



History of the United States. 



the particular localities where the tribes once dwelt, as the 
Tetons and Omahas of Nebraska, the Yanktons and Iowas, 
the Kansas, Poncas, and Osages. 

There was one tribe only of the great Sioux family east 
of the Mississippi, namely, the Winnebagoes. They were 
located on the west side of Lake Michigan, north of where 
Chicago now stands. 

11. Tribes of the Far West. — Of the other large tribes 
west of the land of the Dakotas there were, and are still, 
the Blackfeet Indians of the Upper Missouri, and the 




A House of the Pueblos or Village Indians. 



Crows of the Yellowstone ; the Pawnees of the Platte ; the 
roving Comanches and Apaches of the Rio Grande, and 
other tribes. The Blackfeet were often at war with the 
Flat-Heads or Snake Indians, who belonged west of the 
Rocky Mountains. 



The North American Indians. 19 

12. Habits of the Nomad Tribes. — The most of these 
tribes, as well as the Dakotas, resided in their villages not 
more than five months of the year, principally to plant and 
gather the crop of maize. Then the whole population, 
except those who trapped the beaver and other fur animals, 
would remove to the ranging-grounds of the buffalo, living 
on the meat of that animal and drying quantities of it for 
future use. 

13. The Tribes of the North-West, beyond the Rocky 
Mountains, the Flat-Heads or Snakes, the Chinooks, the 
Walla- Wallas, etc., are neither so tall, strong, nor active as 
the Indians east of that range. The California tribes have 
long, straight hair, and very dark complexions, and are 
thought to be of Malay origin. The Pueblos or Village 
Indians of Arizona have been already spoken of in para- 
graph 4. 

14. Tribes North of our Territory. — The region between 
Hudson's Bay and the Rocky Mountains was sparsely in- 
habited by hunters and trappers of the Athabasca tribes. 
Still farther north, the shores of all the seas, bays, and 
inlets, and also the islands from Greenland to Behring's 
Strait, were inhabited then, as at present, by the Eskimos. 

15. Tribes or Races South of us. — The Aztecs, whom the 
Spaniards found inhabiting Mexico, had attained to a high 
degree of civilization, not unlike that of the ancient Egyp- 
tians. They were skilled in architecture and metal-work- 
ing, and practised embalming the dead. The natives of 
some of the West India Islands — the Caribs of the Baha- 
mas, San Domingo, Jamaica, etc. — were gentle and peace- 
able. Those of the Caribbean Islands were fierce and 
warlike. The natives of all these islands were, however, 
almost exterminated by the Spaniards soon after their con- 
quest by the Europeans. 



PERIOD II. 

EXPLORATIONS AND DISCOVERIES, TO THE SETTLEMENT 
OF JAMESTOWN. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE NORTHMEN IN AMERICA. 

1. Traditions of the Indians. — The Indians of the vari- 
ous tribes had many improbable traditions of the early 
peopling of this country. As they possessed no written 
language, these vague accounts are of little value. As to 
their own origin, the belief among them is general that they 
were created by a Great Spirit. Some of their myths, how- 
ever, are in character like the following, which has been 
handed down by one of the California tribes. First of all, 
there existed the moon. Next came the coyote, or prairie- 
wolf. The moon and the coyote created all things, in- 
cluding man. This man, said some, was in the form of a 
stone; others affirmed that he was a mass of flesh like a 
great earth-worm. Certain of the tribes appear to have 
had a tradition of a deluge, which at some ancient epoch 
covered the earth and drowned all of mankind but a few. 

2. The First Visitors. — The first who came to the Ameri- 
can shores, after the early peopling of the country by the 
Mound-Builders and Indians, appear to have been the 
Northmen. We speak of the Northmen now as the Scan- 
dinavians ; in other words, those who inhabit the countries 
of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, which, together, are 

20 



874] 



The Northmen in America. 



21 



called Scandinavia. The accounts of their early voyages 
to this country are contained chiefly in the Icelandic sagas, 
■which were poems or tales recited by the native bards, or 
saga-men, and afterward written in books. 

3. Northmen settle in Iceland. — We are sure, in the first 
place, that Iceland was occupied by Norwegians in or about 
the year 874. The name of the leader of this company 




Nortihiex's Vessel. 



was Ingolf. He left his native country to escape the 
tyranny of the viking Harold, who was surnamed the 
Fair-haired. 

4. Greenland next Discovered.— After the Northmen had 
been in Iceland more than a hundred years, one of their 
number, named Eric the Red, sailed to the westward with 
a few men, and discovered a country which he called 



22 History of the United States. ■ [1200 

Greenland. Measure upon the map, and you will find that 
Greenland is only two hundred miles away from Iceland. 
It is surprising that such a seafaring people did not find it 
sooner. 

5. Biarni's Voyage. — The news of Eric's discovery reach- 
ing Iceland, a bold sailor, named Biarni, sailed for the same 
region ; but his vessel was blown southward, out of its course, 
and other strange lands were seen, which may have been 
parts of Nova Scotia and New England. 

6. Northmen on the New England Coast. — About the 
year 1000, Leif, the son of Eric, also sailed to the south on 
a voyage of discovery. He landed on a coast which, from 
the description given in the saga, appears to have been 
the south-eastern part of Massachusetts. The country 
was named by him Vinland, because of the abundance of 
grapes found there ; and to another coast farther north, 
which was probably Nova Scotia, was given the name of 
Mark land. 

7. Later Voyages. — There are accounts of a few other 
voyages by the Icelanders to the same shores, and of dis- 
putes with the natives, or " skrellings," as the Northmen 
called them. But, the printer's art being as yet unknown, 
the knowledge of the Northmen's discoveries was not 
spread abroad. Even of Greenland scarcely anything was 
heard until the time when Hans Egede, in 1721, established 
a mission-station of the United Brethren on its western 
coast. 

8. Traditions of Madoc and of the Zeni. — In addition to 
these accounts concerning the Northmen there is a less 
credible tradition about Madoc, the son of a Welsh prince, 
who was reputed to have come hither in the twelfth century. 
There is also the later narrative of two brothers named 
Zeno, of the city of Venice, who were said to have sailed 
to Iceland and Greenland and the shores adjacent. 



Explorations of the Spaniards. 23 



CHAPTER IV. 

EXPLOEATIONS OF THE SPANIARDS. 

1. The Spirit of Discovery and the Desire for Trade with 
the Far East began to show itself in Europe shortly after 
the period of the Crusades. The Crusades had made the 
people of Europe acquainted with remote regions that they 
had heard of before only by name. The glowing tales of 
travellers who had penetrated to India and other distant 
lands also increased the desire to know still more of those 
wonderful countries. 

2. Improvements in Navigation. — The invention of the 
mariner's compass infused new life into the art of the navi- 
gator. No longer dependent upon observing the position 
of the sun and the stars, he could now pursue his course 
across the deep even though thick clouds overspread the 
skies. When the mariners of Spain and Portugal found 
they might safely pass beyond the " Pillars of Hercules," — 
for so the heights on either side of the Straits of Gibraltar 
were called, — the exploration of the West African coast was 
continued in earnest. The little kingdom of Portugal was 
particularly active in that direction, and soon became famed 
as the foremost of maritime nations. 

3. Prince Henry of Portugal. — This thirst for adventure 
and discovery was greatly fostered by Prince Henry of Por- 
tugal, who drew around him men of science, established a 
naval college and observatory, and caused much attention 
to be paid to the making of maps. Many expeditions were 
fitted out, and numerous new facts were gathered for the 
map-makers. Yet it is certain that the love of knowledge 



24 History of the United States. [U92 

was by no means the chief spur to enterprise with many, 
for the traffic in slaves and the barter for gold soon became 
prominent objects of the African voyages. 

4. Columbus and his Theory. — One of those who for 
a while earned a livelihood at map-making in the capital of 
Portugal, was a native of Genoa, named Christopher Co- 
lumbus. He had early engaged in a seafaring life, visiting 
many places, perhaps even Iceland, and was one of the 
small number of people in that age who believed that 
the earth was a globe, and not flat as it appeared to be. 
Hence, he felt confident that a much more easy and rapid 
way to reach India than by the overland route would be to 
sail directly westward across the Atlantic. 

5. Efforts of Columbus to obtain Aid. — Desirous of proving 
the truth of his theory, Columbus set out to obtain the aid 
he needed. This he found to be a difficult task, for kings, 
court people, and most of the men of science whom he 
met, scouted his ideas as visionary. Unsuccessful with 
the senate of liis native Genoa, his scheme rejected by 
King John of Portugal, and also by his geographers, Co- 
lumbus finally presented himself at the court of Spain. 
Ferdinand and Isabella, the sovereigns of that country, 
were then engaged in war with the Moors, so that seven 
weary years elapsed before the application of Columbus 
was finally granted. 

6. Columbus sails from Palos, in Spain. — On the 3d day 
of the Eighth month (August), in the year 1492, Columbus 
sailed from the port of Palos, in Spain. He was accom- 
panied by 120 men, in three small vessels. They were 
detained a few days at the Canary Isles to repair one of 
the vessels, and then continued on their westward course. 
Week after week the little fleet sailed onward, and, though 
the men became alarmed and were almost ready to mutiny, 
the faith of the commander failed not. 



1499] Explorations of the Spaniards. 25 

7. America Discovered. — Finally, fields of sea-weed 
began to appear; then came birds, which the Spaniards 
were sure belonged upon the land. Next, at evening, a 
light was seen by the expectant voyagers, and the following 
morning they beheld a low, sandy beach, and strange, dark- 
liued people upon it. It was on the 12th day of the Tenth 
month (October), 1492, that America was discovered by 
Columbus, who, supposing he had arrived on the coast of 
India, called the natives Indians. 

8. Columbus concludes his First Voyage. — The land 
which Columbus had discovered was an island of the 
Bahama group, called by the natives Guanahani, but by the 
Spaniards named San Salvador. It was taken possession 
of in the names of the king and queen of Spain, without 
any thought of the rights of its unresisting owners. Colum- 
bus then sailed southward, and, after discovering Cuba, 
Havti or Hispaniola, and others of the West India Islands, 
returned to Spain, where he was received with great honors. 

9. Columbus made Three Other Voyages to the New 
World. Upon the first of these, in. 1494, Jamaica was 
discovered. Next, in 1498, he sailed along the northern 
coast of South America, near the mouth of the river 
Orinoco. Upon his last voyage, in 1502, he explored the 
coast of Honduras, but, returning thence, was wrecked 
upon the island of Jamaica, and remained there a year 
before succor arrived. It is sad to record the fact that 
from Havti he sent hundreds of slaves to Spain, contrary 
to the wishes of Queen Isabslla. Yet Columbus was a 
man of a religious spirit, and professed to be doing God 
service in sending the pagan natives to a Christian land. 

10. Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci. — A Spanish admiral, 
Ojeda, accompanied by Amerigo Vespucci, of Florence, as 
naval astronomer, explored part of the northern coast of 
South America in 1499. Entering Lake Maracaybo from 

3 



_ 



■y of the United & 






the sea, and. seeing an Indian village built on piles, they 
called ir V a, or Little Venice, — a name which was 

afterward given to that whole region. Other voyages 
were made a tew years later by Amerigo Vespucci. As 
the account of them which he published was largely s| 
abroad, it resulted that his own name instead of that of 
Columbus was given to the continent of America. 




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SPANIARDS 



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11. Cuba was taken Possession of in 1512 by Von Velas- 
quez, one of the captains o{' Columbus. The Spaniards 
found the natives so unwarlike that they had little difficulty 
in overrunning the country, but toward one chief who op- 
posed them they showed much cruelty. 

12. Ponce de Leon in Florida. — In the same year. 1512, 
Juan Ponce de Leon, who had also beeu a companion of 
Columbus, discovered the mainland, and gave to it the 
name of Florida. Disappointed at that time in his search 



1528] Explorations of the Spaniards. 27 

for a wonderful fountain, the waters of which were said to 
give immortal youth to all who bathed in them, l>e Leon 
came again, eight years later, intending to form a settle- 
ment. But the Spaniards were driven back by the natives 
to their ships, and IV Leon, being- wounded by a poisoned 
arrow, died soon after his return to Cuba. 

13. De Ayllon seeks for Slaves. — The native islanders of 
Hayti (which island was called also Hispaniola and San 
Domingo) suffered great hardships in working the mines 
ami plantations for their Spanish masters. In a 1'ew years 
a great many thousands o( them miserably perished. To 
obtain a fresh supply of victims, Vasquez de Ayllon, with 
two ships, visited the Atlantic coast in 1520, near what 
was afterward Beaufort Harbor. They called the land 
Chicora. 

14. Stephen Gomez, a native oi' Portugal, in 1525 sailed 
still farther northward, to the New England coast. On 
an old Spanish map the " Land oi' Gomez" is the name 
placed upon that territory. 

15. Magellan circumnavigates the Globe. — A companion 
of Gomez, the navigator Magellan, leal explored the coast 
o( South America in 1520, and sailed through the straits 
between the mainland and the island of Terra del Fuego. 
Although Magellan died on the voyage, his vessel passed 
around the Cape of Good Elope, and, reaching Spain again, 
thus accomplished the first circumnavigation oi' the globe. 

16. Narvaez in the Florida Interior. — The name Florida 
was applied by the Spaniards not only to the peninsula, but 
also to all the vast, unknown interior beyond. In 1528, 
eight years after Ponce de Leon's repulse, an expedition 
under Pamphilo de Xarvaez marched into the Florida in- 
terior in search of the treasures they fancied were to be 
found there. Great hardships were met with in the tangled 
forests and marshes, and many oi' the soldiers died oi' dis- 



28 History of the United State*. [1539 

ease and famine. The remnant, having built five boats, 
embarked for Cuba, bul a storm overtook them, and all but 
four of the men were lost. 

17. De Soto discovers the Mississippi. — Undismayed by 
the fate of Narvaez and his men, Ferdinand de Soto 
petitioned the king of Spain to permit him to attempt the 
conquest of Florida, De Soto and his little army of cava- 
liers ami others, landed on the beach oi' Tampa Bay in the 
year L539, Their experience, however, was similar to that 
of IV' Loon and Narvaez, They made the Indians carry 
their burdens, treating them with great cruelty, and incur- 
ring thereby thehostility of the tribes. Having traversed a 
great part of Georgia and Alabama, they finally, in the 
third year of their wandering (1541), readied the banks of 
a mighty river, the Mississippi, 

18. Fate of the Expedition. — With much difficulty the 
river was crossed, but IV' Soto died soon afterward, and 
was buried beneath its waters. The discouraged survivors 
of the expedition then built some barges, and. descending 
the ureat river, crossed the Gulf et' Mexico to the Spanish 
settlements. The efforts of the Spaniards to colonize the 
Florida territory had. we have seen, proved unsuccessful. 
Farther southward, their attempts were rewarded with 
somew hat better success, 

10. Balboa discovers the Pacific Ocean. — In 1513, Vasco 
Xnne/ de Balboa, a Spaniard, crossed the narrow [sthmus 
of Darien, and was rewarded by the discovery o\' the raeitie 
Ocean, A colony was planted a tew years lateral Panama. 

20. The Gulf o\' Mexico explored. — Francisco Fernandez, 
in 1517, -ailed south- west ward ly from the port of Havana, 
and discovered the peninsula of Yucatan, The next year 

the shores of the Bay of Campeachy were explored by 
Grijalva, to whom also there came rumors of the riches and 

splendor of the A. tee empire. The northern ooast-line of 



1592] Explorations of the Spaniards. '2'.) 

the Gulf was critically examined l>y Pineda in 1519. lit* 
specially observed tlie outlet of the Mississippi, giving it 
the name of the Espiritu Santo. 

21. Canqusst of Mexico. — In the year of the expedition 
of' Pineda (1519), Hernando Cortez, with a force of nearly 
TOO men, landed at Vera Cruz. Being joined by several 
thousand warriors ol* one of the provinces, Cortez made 
his way to Mexico, the capital. The city was captured 
after a hard struggle, and Montezuma, the king, being 
wounded, died soon afterward. The country became 
speedily subjeel to the Spaniards, who gave to it the name 
oi' New Spain. I\-ru, also, became a colony of Spain 
when Pizarro wrested it from the [ncas in 1531. 

22. Expeditions of Coronado and Alarcon. — From Mexico, 
in 1539, there set out a company, under the leadership of 
Coronado, to search for the "Seven Cities of Cibola," which 
were reputed to contain great wealth. The poor villages 
6f the Pueblos and Moquis were found, hut no treasure re- 
warded the long and wearisome search of the Spaniards. 
At the same time, several vcs-els under Alarcon sailed up 
the Gulf of California, and discovered the Colorado River, 
which they ascended several hundred miles against the 
rapid current. 

23. California and Oregon Coast. — To the country on the 
Pacific, north oi' Mexico, the Spaniards gave the name of 
California. A Portuguese in the Spanish service, named 
Cabri Ho, explored the coast in 1542 nearly as tar as the 
Columbia River. Fifty years later, in 1592, Juan de Fuca, 
a Greek, also in the employ oi' Spain, explored the coast 
still farther to the north, between Vancouver's Island and 
the mainland. 

24. St. Augustine and Santa Fe' founded. — Meanwhile, 
the Spaniards had planted two settlements only within the 

present limits of the United States. The first of these was 



30 History of the United States. [1565 

at St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565. [Further mention of 
this event is made in paragraph 12 of Chapter VI.] The 
second settlement was a mission station, at Santa Fe, near 
the Rio Grande, established in 1582. 



CHAPTER V. 

ENGLISH DISCOVERIES IN AMERICA. 

1. The Pope's Gift to Spain and Portugal. — The Pope, by 
a decree or " bull," awarded to Spain and Portugal all the 
continents and islands which they should discover. An 
imaginary line, drawn north and south in the middle of the 
Atlantic, was to divide their possessions, — Spain to take all 
the new-found countries on the west side of that line, and 
Portugal all on the east side. Thus, Africa and the East 
Indies would fall to Portugal, and America, including the 
West Indies, would be the share of Spain. But, when the 
news of the discoveries of Columbus became known in Eng- 
land, King Henry VII. determined to make the attempt to 
attach some of those lands to his own empire. 

2. Voyages of the Cabots. — Failing to secure the services 
of Columbus, King Henry, in 1496, granted a patent for 
land in America to John Cabot, a wealthy merchant of 
Bristol, but a Venetian by birth. Cabot, accompanied by 
his son Sebastian, crossed the ocean by way of Iceland, 
reaching the North American coast in the latitude of Lab- 
rador. This was a year before Columbus sailed along 
the Honduras coast of the same continent. John Cabot 
dying soon after his return from this voyage, his son Sebas- 
tian, who had accompanied him, was given charge of a 
second expedition in 1498. The men landed on the Labra- 



1547] 



English Discoveries in America. 



31 



dor coast with the intention of forming a settlement, but, 
the climate proving too severe, Cabot sailed southward as 
far as Carolina, and then went back to England. 

3. Routes to India. — The year of Cabot's second expedi- 
tion (1498), the route to India, by way of the west coast of 
Africa, was discovered by a Portuguese navigator, Vasco da 




Ancient Map, showing tue Pope's Atlantic Line. 



Gama. Many years afterward, in 1547 and later, Sebas- 
tian Cabot was employed on behalf of England in directing 
the search for a North-East passage to India, by way of 
the north of Norway and Russia. These attempts being 
unsuccessful, efforts by others were then made to discover 



32 History of the United States. [1576 

a way by the north of America. This way, still being 
sought for, we speak of as the North- West Passage. 

4. Frobisher's North-West Voyages. — Martin Frobisher, 
in 1576 and 1578, made two voyages from England to 
the north of America, but advanced no farther than the 
straits between the Greenland Sea and the channels lead- 
ing into Hudson's Bay. The vessels returned from the 
second voyage loaded with large quantities of black ore 
and earth, said to contain gold ; but a critical examina- 
tion of the substance did not reveal a trace of the precious 
metal. 

5. Drake's Voyage to the Pacific. — In 1579, Sir Francis 
Drake made a voyage to the Pacific Ocean by way of Cape 
Horn. Having plundered the South American seaports 
belonging to the Spaniards, although England and Spain 
were not then at war, Drake sailed up the coast of Cali- 
fornia and Oregon. The harbor of San Francisco was 
entered, and received its name from the piratical com- 
mander. Drake continued westward across the Pacific, 
and, reaching England in safety, completed the second 
circumnavigation of the tilobe. 

6. The Newfoundland Fisheries and the Portuguese. — Im- 
mediately after Cabot's voyages the coasts of Newfoundland 
began to be visited by tiie fishing-vessels and whaling-ships 
of several nations, — French, Spanish, English, and Portu- 
guese. As early as the year 1501, two Portuguese caravels, 
commanded by Gaspar Cortereal, sailed along the coast of 
Labrador, and, having enticed 50 or more of the natives on 
board the vessels, carried them back to Portugal to be sold 
as. slaves. The later visits of the Portuguese to those coasts 
were only in the capacity of fishermen. 

7. Gilbert's Newfoundland Voyages.— Humphrey Gil- 
bert, a step-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, made two at- 
tempts, in the years 1579 and 1583, to plant a permanent 



1585] English Discoveries in America. 33 

colony on the island of Newfoundland. Upon both occa- 
sions, however, serious storms at sea were encountered, and 
a number of the vessels were lost. Upon returning home 
with his men from the second voyage, the little vessel in 
which Gilbert sailed foundered, and all on board of her 
perished. 

8. Amidas and Barlow. — To Sir Walter Raleigh there 
was at that time given by Queen Elizabeth a patent for 
a large extent of American territory in a milder latitude 
than that of Newfoundland. Wishing to colonize his new 
possessions at once, Raleigh sent out two vessels in 1584, 
in charge of Philip Amidas and Arthur Barlow. They 
reached the shores of Carolina in safety, and, entering 
Pamlico Sound, landed on the low, sandy island of Roa- 
noke. After trading with the Indians and obtaining a 
cargo of cedar-wood, peltry, and sassafras-bark, they re- 
turned to England. Two of the natives, who went with 
them, became afterward useful as interpreters. 

9. The Name Virginia, in honor of the virgin queen of 
England, M T as given by Raleigh to the territory which she 
had granted him. This he esteemed a proper return for 
the honor of knighthood she had conferred upon him. 

10. Raleigh's Second Roanoke Expedition. — In 1585 a 
second expedition, under Sir Richard Grenville, proceeded 
to Roanoke Island. Grenville, after having been guilty of 
harshly treating the Indians, left a colony of 110 men and 
went back to England. The colonists were unwilling to 
till the soil, depending on the Indians for food. By their 
bad behavior they forfeited the friendship of the natives, 
and were soon on the point of starvation ; but a fleet under 
Sir Francis Drake, arriving unexpectedly, took them back 
to their own land. Grenville appeared at Roanoke Island 
soon afterward, left fifteen men there, and sailed back to 
England. Potatoes and tobacco were at this time first 



34 History of the United States. [1587 

taken to the Old World as curious products of the new 
province of Virginia. 

11. Raleigh's Third Roanoke Expedition. — Not yet dis- 
couraged, in 1587, Raleigh sent out still another company 
of settlers, of whom John White was named as the gov- 
ernor, and eleven others as the assistant officers. They 
were directed to form a permanent settlement, to be called 
the City of Raleigh. When they reached Roanoke Island, 
the fifteen men left by Grenville were not to be found. 
They had no doubt been murdered by the natives, who at 
once showed their hostility toward the new-comers. 

12. Disastrous End of the Undertaking. — The settlers find- 
ing they would need more food to save them from starva- 
tion, White consented to return to England for supplies. 
He left upward of 100 men on the island, besides his baby 
grand-daughter, Virginia Dare, the first English child born 
in America. On account of the war which then existed 
between England and Spain, three years elapsed before 
White returned to Roanoke; but, to his dismay and grief, 
not one of the colonists was to be found, nor were they 
ever afterward heard of. 

13. Early Routes across the Atlantic. — The first English 
vovages across the Atlantic, those of John and Sebastian 
Cabot, had been made, as we have seen, in the high latitude 
of Labrador. The vessels of the Raleigh expeditions had 
mostly pursued the ocean-path of Columbus and the Span- 
iards, by way of the Canary Islands and the West Indies. 
But in 1602 a more direct route was chosen by Bartholo- 
mew Gosnold, who approached the coast near the present 
harbor of Portland, Maine. 

14. Gosnold on the New England Coast. — Gosnold sailed 
southward from Portland Harbor and landed on Cape Cod. 
So far as we know, that was the first land ever trodden 
by Englishmen in New England. Buzzard's Bay, which 



1607] English Discoveries in America. 35 

was next entered, was ealled by the voyagers "Gosnold's 
Hope." They then landed on one of the Elizabeth Islands, 
intending to form a settlement; but the project was aban- 
doned, and the ship, having been loaded with sassafras-root 
purchased from the natives, returned to England. 

15. Pring and Weymouth. — Two expeditions, similar to 
the preceding, were made to the Maine and Massachusetts 
coasts in the years 1603 and 1605. The first of these was 
placed in charge of Michael Pring; the second was in- 
trusted to George Weymouth. Besides sassafras-root, the 
skins of the deer, beaver, etc., were also obtained from the 
natives, a number of whom were forcibly taken back by 
Weymouth to England. 

16. Popham. and Raleigh Gilbert. — Two years later, in 
1607, Sir George Popham and Raleigh Gilbert sailed to 
the mouth of the Kennebec. They would have formed a 
settlement there, but, like Gosnold's voyagers, these also 
became discouraged, and soon sought again their native 
shores. Before leaving, however, they launched the little 
pinnace Virginia, the first vessel built by Englishmen in 
America. Thus, after more than a century of exploration 
and attempts to plant colonies upon these shores, England 
as yet had none, whilst Spain could show only the two 
little settlements at St. Augustine and Santa Fe. We may 
now turn our attention to the efforts which in the mean 
time had been made by the French. 



36 History of the United States. [1524 



CHAPTER VI. 

FRENCH EXPLORATIONS AND ATTEMPTS TO COLONIZE. 

1. It has already been stated that the Lucrative fisheries 
of Newfoundland and the neighboring coasts caused them 
to be early resorted to by the vessels of several European 
countries. French fishermen from Brittany and Normandy 
were especially numerous and active in that quarter. The 
Gulf of St. Lawrence was explored by a Frenchman, Denys 
of Honfleur, but it was not until 1524 that an expedition 
was despatched thither under the royal commission of 
Francis I. 

2. Verrazzani's Expedition. — The single vessel of the 
first French expedition Avas commanded by Verrazzani, a 
Florentine. Verrazzani reached the American coast in the 
locality of Cape Fear, and, sailing slowly northward, en- 
tered the harbor of New York. He then coasted along the 
Long Island shore to where Newport was afterward built, 
and so on until Newfoundland was reached. Verrazzani, 
returning thence to France, wrote to the king a full descrip- 
tion of all he had seen. 

3. The Claim of France. — It was by reason of Verraz- 
zani's detailed account that the French laid claim to terri- 
tory which both the English and the Spaniards already 
called their own. The prior right of the Indians does not 
appear to have been considered worthy of a thought. 

4. Cartier ascends the St. Lawrence. — The war which 
raged in Europe between Francis I. of France and Charles 
V. of Spain and Germany, prevented the French from 



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ENGLISH AND FRENCH. 



38 History of the United States. [1534 

sending a second expedition to America until ten years after 
that of Verrazzani. It was in 1534 that Jacques Cartier 
with two ships left the French port of St. Malo, crossed the 
ocean in the short space of twenty days, and entered the 
Gulf of St. Lawrence. The great river of the same name 
was ascended by Cartier, who thought that at last the high- 
way to India had been found ; but, being then unprepared 
for the winter storms, he sailed back to France without 
pursuing his discoveries. 

5. Cartier's Second Expedition. — The following year, 
however (1535), Cartier, being given command of a second 
expedition, ascended the St. Lawrence again, until he ar- 
rived at a settlement of the Hurons called Hochelaga. A 
height on the island was called by the French Mont-Royal 
or Montreal. There they remained ice-bound during the 
winter, suffering greatly from the scurvy. In the following 
spring they returned to France. The Indian word Kan- 
naiha, meaning village, Cartier thought was applied to the 
whole country, which he therefore called Canada. 

6. Cartier and Roberval. — In 1541, Cartier sailed yet a 
third time and with a still larger fleet to New France. At 
the same time a separate commission as viceroy being given 
to the Lord of Roberval, he too sailed thither with a fleet. 
But the men of both expeditions were badly chosen for the 
work of settling in the wilderness. Famine and disease 
prevailed, and the colonists, becoming disorderly and dis- 
satisfied, clamored to return home. Their wish was complied 
with. 

7. Growth of Trade with the Indians. — As a result of 
these unsuccessful attempts, more than fifty years went by 
before efforts were again made by the French to plant colo- 
nies in New France, or "Acadie," as it was also called. 
Meanwhile, a large trade had sprung up between the French 
voyagers and the Indians for the skins of the bear, buffalo, 



1562] French Explorations and Attempts to Colonize. 39 

and lesser peltry. The fisheries also were flourishing. The 
French government, therefore, saw that fresh endeavors must 
be made to colonize the country. They would thereby secure 
to their subjects the advantages of the increasing traffic with 
the Indians, as well as the future wealth and power which 
the control of that territory was likely to bring them. 

8. De Monts and Champlain. — A grant of all the terri- 
tory lying between the 40th and 46th parallels of north 
latitude having been made by the French king to the Sieur 
De Monts, the latter sailed for Canada in 1604. One of 
his companions was an adventurous soldier named Samuel 
de Champlain. They sailed up the Bay of Fundy, where 
a permanent settlement was established at Port Royal. 
Part of the New England coast was also explored. The 
French were more prudent in their dealings with the In- 
dians than were either the English, Spaniards, or Portuguese, 
so that the good-will of the natives was secured, and pro- 
visions in plenty were readily obtained. Further mention 
will be made of Champlain and the French struggle for 
dominion in a subsequent chapter. 

9. The Huguenots. — In the mean time, attempts were 
being made by Protestants from France to plant a colony 
on the southern part of the same coast seen by Verrazzani 
in 1524. These colonists were mostly of that Calvinist 
sect called Huguenots. The leader of the Huguenots was 
Culigny, admiral of France, who, occupying a place of 
power, was enabled to aid his fellow-Protestants in seeking 
a wilderness-home in the New World. 

10. Eibault's Expedition. — Two expeditions were sent 
out by Coligny in 1562 and 1564. The first, under Jean 
Ribault, reached the Florida coast near the mouth of the 
river St. John's. Farther northward they found a fine 
harbor, which they called Port Royal. There a fort was 
built, and Ribault, leaving some of his men to garrison it, 



40 History of the United States. [1565 

re-crossed the ocean. But many of the colonists were lazy 
and turbulent, and as a consequence of their bad behavior 
the Indians refused to supply them with any more food. 
The Frenchmen were therefore obliged to build a rude 
vessel and sail back to France, which country they finally 
reached after suffering greatly on the voyage. 

11. The Second Huguenot Expedition, in 1564, resulted 
still more disastrously than the first. A strong fort was 
built near the mouth of the river St. John's, and was named 
Fort Caroline. But a mutiny soon broke out among the 
men, some turned pirates, and the remainder would proba- 
bly have starved had not succor arrived. Not all of these 
men were Huguenots. 

12. The Spaniards occupy Florida. — The Spaniards were 
much displeased when they heard that Protestants from 
France had actually settled on Florida soil. Philip II. of 
Spain having given authority to Melendez to possess the 
territory, a large force under that officer proceeded thither 
in 1565, and planted a colony on the east side of the penin- 
sula, at St. Augustine. African slavedabor was then em- 
ployed lor the first time on our soil. Fort Caroline, on 
the St. John's, was surprised by the Spaniards, and its 
Huguenot garrison put to death. Some Frenchmen, led by 
He Gourgues, retaliated two years later by killing in turn 
the Spanish garrison, but they made no attempt to effect 
a settlement. 



Contemporary European Chronology. 

912. The Normans, under Rollo, take possession of Normandy. 
1066. William the Conqueror begins the conquest of England. 
1096. The first crusade; 1270, seventh and last crusade. 

1347. Great plague in Europe; said to have carried off one-fourth the people. 
1453. The Turks take Constantinople, and end the Eastern Roman Empire. 
1455. Beginning of the 30 years' War of the Roses in England. 
1479. Kingdom of Spain formed by the union of Aragon and Castile. 



( 'ontemporary European Chronology. 41 

1509. Henry VIII. of England ; 1547, Edward VI. ; 1553, Mary. 
1517. Tlie Reformation by Luther begins. Calvin. Erasmus. 

Charles V. of Germany and Spain. Francis I. of France. 

155S-1G03. Queen Elizabeth of England's reign. Knox. Bacon. 
1560. The civil wars in France, conducted by Conde and Guise. 
1570. Republic of Holland formed by the Union of Utrecht. 
1603. Union of England and Scotland under James I. Shakspeare. 
Note. — For South American chronology, see Appendix. 



1302. The mariner's compass improved by F. Gioia. 

1320. Gunpowder invented at Cologne, by Schwartz. 

1420-40. Art of printing invented by Coster, Gutenberg, etc. 

1-164. Post-offices in France; 1581, in England. 

1471. Printing introduced into England by William Caxton. 

1 177. Watches made at Nuremberg. 

1489. Maps and charts brought into England by Bartholomew Columbus. 

1532. The true solar system revived by Copernicus. 

1545. Needles first made in England. 

1590-1620. The telescope invented and improved. Galileo. 



*:.;:* O n account of the readiness with which the subject-matter of each para- 
graph is suggested by its black-letter or italicized heading, it has been deemed 
not necessary to introduce questions throughout the book. Some remarks, 
however, upon Questions for a Topical Review, will be found at the end of 
the text, page 264. 

■■y ;: Although not a few maps have been supplied to eulighten the text, the 
teacher is, nevertheless, particularly recommended to apply the students' 
knowledge of geography as a handmaid to their study of history, requiring 
maps of the country studied to be drawn upon the blackboard by the pupils 
themselves, and marking them therefor according to merit. Adherence to this 
course will be found beneficial to the pupils in every respect. 

*** The student should be encouraged to consult the vocabulary at the end 
of the book for the correct pronunciation of the proper names as they come 
in course. 



PERIOD TTI. 
PERIOD OF COLONIZATION. 



CHAPTER VII. 



VIRGINIA. 



1. Claims of Spain, France, and England. — At the be- 
ginning- of the seventeenth century we find the French in- 
tent on obtaining control of the territory adjacent to the 
river and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Spaniards, gaining 
wealth from their possessions in South America, New 
Spain, and the West Indies, paid little attention to their 
territory of Florida. The Portuguese had settled in Brazil, 
but their traffic was mostly with Africa and the East Indies, 
and they laid no claim to North America. The Atlantic 
coast, therefore, between Nova Scotia and the Spanish 
settlement at St. Augustine, seemed to invite the attention 
of the English. Notwithstanding the disastrous results of 
Raleigh's expeditions, the later and more successful ones of 
Gosnold, Pring, and others, revived the hope of a profitable 
commerce with America. 

2. The London and Plymouth Companies. — In 1G06, 
King James I. of England granted to an organization 
called the "London Company," so much of the territory 
called Virginia as was included between the 34th and 38th 
parallels of north latitude. To another organization, 
called the " Plymouth Company," he granted at the same 
time the northern part of what was then called Virginia, 

42 



1G06] 



Virginia. 



43 



from the 41st to the 45th parallel. As the London Com- 
pany's grant was first settled upon, it will be treated of 
first. [See map, page 37.] 

3. Government of the London Company. — The code of 
laws which was to govern the London Company's colony 
was prepared in advance by the king. As might have been 
expected, it was 
framed to meet the 
views of royalty 
rather than of pop- 
ular government. 
The king was to 
appoint a superior 
council, whose 
members were to 
reside in England ; 
and, although the 
colonists were to be 
allowed a domestic 
council, its mem- 
bers and their acts 
were to be subject 
to the king's ap- 
proval. During 
twenty-one years 

the Virginia plantation was to receive all duties levied on 
vessels trading to its ports ; after that, the duties were to be 
paid to the crown. For five years the products of the colony 
were to be held by the settlers in common. The Church 
of England was to be made the established religion. 

4. Jamestown Settled. — In the latter part of 1606, one 
hundred and five men, in three vessels commanded by 
Christopher Newport, sailed for Virginia, intending to 
enter Pamlico Inlet. A storm prevailing, they found 




Early Settlements in Virginia and Maryland. 



44 History of the United States. [1007 

themselves opposite the Chesapeake. Naming the capes at 
its entrance Cape Charles and Cape Henry, after the king's 
sons, they ascended the broad river Powhatan, which they 
also called the James, in honor of their king. On its 
northern bank they landed the 13th day of the Fifth 
month (May), 1607, and called the place Jamestown. 

5. Captain John Smith. — The council of seven named by 
the king chose one of their number, Wingfield, their presi- 
dent. The most able and active member, however, was 
Captain John Smith, who took the chief management of 
affairs when Newport, in the summer, returned to England. 
Whilst exploring the neighboring country Smith was cap- 
tured by the Indians and carried before their chief, Pow- 
hatan ; but at the intercession of the chief's daughter, 
Pocahontas, he was released. The next year Smith made 
a careful exploration of Chesapeake Bay, and also ascended 
the Potomac River a considerable distance. Upon his re- 
turn he was elected president of the council, and discharged 
its duties with much firmness and ability. Two new settle- 
ments were established, near where Richmond and Norfolk 
now stand. 

6. The Virginia Company. — The London Company 
having very soon changed its title to that of the "Virginia 
Company," a new charter was obtained, which was less 
favorable to the colony than the previous one had been. 
It provided that the affairs and laws of the colony should 
be regulated entirely by the council in England and by the 
governor whom it should choose. 

7. The Starving Time. — When Captain Smith went back 
to England, two years after Jamestown was first settled, 
there were but forty acres of land under cultivation, al- 
though the colony numbered about 500 persons. Without 
any regular system of work, their provisions being nearly 
gone, and the friendship and aid of the natives lost, the 



1619] Virginia. 45 

number of the colonists was soon reduced by death and 
desertion to 60 persons. Concluding to depart, they had 
actually embarked, and were sailing down the river, when 
they were met by the ships of Lord Delaware. The latter 
was the first governor appointed by the Council. 

8. Lord Delaware and his Deputies. — The ill health of 
Lord Delaware very soon obliged him to return to England, 
and Lord Percy was for a while left in charge of the 
colony. During the next five years, from 1611 to 1616, 
Sir Thomas Gates and Sir Thomas Dale served succes- 
sively as deputies for Lord Delaware. A large number 
of cattle were brought over to the colony. Instead of 
the men working in common as before, a separate lot of 
ground was assigned to each individual. 

9. Captain Argall, a coarse and passionate man, captured 
Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas, and brought her to 
Jamestown. A war with the Indians was avoided only by 
the marriage of Pocahontas to John Rolfe, a settler of good 
repute. Argall afterward sailed to the Dutch settlement 
at the mouth of the Hudson, and to that of the French at 
Port Royal, on the Bay of Fundy. The Dutch acknowl- 
edged the English authority for the time; but the houses 
of the French at Port Royal were burnt. Argall returned 
to Virginia and managed to hold the office of deputy for a 
while, although Dale had already named George Yeardley 
for that post. To settle the dispute Lord Delaware sailed 
for the colony, but he died on the passage. 

10. America's First Representative Assembly. — George 
Yeardley, the new governor, arrived in Virginia in 1619. 
There were then, twelve years after the landing at James- 
town, but 600 colonists and seven distinct plantations or 
boroughs. Yeardley, having made the number of boroughs 
eleven, called a meeting of the first colonial Assembly, or 
" House of Burgesses," to which each of the boroughs sent 



46 History of the United States. [1619 

its own chosen representatives. A written constitution, 
granted to the colony in 1621, still further secured to the 
people the blessing of a representative form of government. 
[See the note at the end of this chapter.] 

11. Results of Better Government. — Acts were passed by 
the new Assembly which gave general satisfaction to the 
colonists, who therefore applied themselves with more vigor 
to the work of building houses and cultivating their fields. 
A number of respectable young women were brought over 
to the colony, and became the wives of the planters. Emi- 
gration was also much stimulated, so that in three years 
after Yeardley's arrival the colony numbered nearly 4000 
persons. 

12. Cultivation of Tobacco. — Tobacco became early the 
principal crop of Virginia, being planted at Jamestown not 
only in the gardens and fields, but in the very streets. It 
was mostly used instead of money to pay taxes and tithes, 
as well as debts, fines, and salaries. At times there was 
danger of the colonists suffering through lack of food, be- 
cause of the great attention c'iven to the growing of this 
weed. When Yeardley's successor, Wyatt, came over in 

1621, he recommended that more attention be given to corn, 
cattle, grape-growing, and silk-culture. The latter industry 
did not succeed. The first cotton seeds in the United States 
were planted at Jamestown in 1621. 

13. Indian Troubles. — While Powhatan lived there was 
peace between his people and the whites. But upon his 
death his younger brother, who succeeded him, incensed the 
tribes against the English, who were rapidly taking pos- 
session of their best lands. Upon one day in the year 

1622, the Indians massacred 350 of the settlers, who were 
widely scattered over eighty plantations. Jamestown was 
saved by a friendly Indian giving warning of the intended 
attack. The survivors of the attack collected upon six of 



16221 



Virginia. 



47 



the plantations, and began a war of extermination against 
the natives. It lasted fourteen years, and greatly hurt the 
'prosperity of the colony. A similar Indian uprising and 
massacre of the settlers occurred in 1644. 

14. Slavery in Virginia. — Negro slavery was introduced 
into Virginia in 1619, in which year a Dutch man-of-war 
landed twenty ne- 
groes at Jamestown. 
They were sold as 
slaves to the planters. 
For many years it 
was almost entirely 
the Dutch who con- 
tinued to bring the 
blacks to the prov- 
ince. Nevertheless, 
they were introduced 
so slowly, that at the 
end of thirty years 
there was but one 
negro to fifty whites 
of the population. 
It should also be 
stated that, before 
the introduction of African slavery, it was the custom to 
purchase white persons who had been sent over from Eng- 
land. They were held to servitude a number of years, or 
until they had fully " worked out" the cost of their ocean- 
passage and other expenses. 

15. Virginia a Royal Province. — The London stock- 
holders of the Virginia Company having suffered much 
loss became dissatisfied, and appealer! to the king to ex- 
amine into the company's affairs. King James appointed 
commissioners, whose report was so unfavorable to the com- 




COTTON-rLANT. 



48 History of the United States. [1624 

pany that their charter was abolished in 1624. The colony 
then came under the direct control of the king, who ap- 
pointed the governor and Council ; but the colonists did not 
give up their own Assembly, for that had been secured to 
them by their constitution. 

16. Religious Intolerance. — Sir William Berkeley was 
governor of the province of Virginia for the greater part of 
forty years. He was strict in requiring conformity to the 
usages of the Church of England. A penalty of £100 was 
imposed upon ship-masters bringing Quakers into the 
colony, or upon any person who should harbor that people 
or permit an assembly of them in or near his house. Bap- 
tists were also excluded, whilst Romanist priests were given 
five days' notice to quit the colony. A fine was also 
imposed upon all who did not attend the parish chapels. 

17. The Culpeper and Arlington Grant. — In 1673, the 
king of England granted to Lords Culpeper and Arling- 
ton the whole province of Virginia, to be under their con- 
trol for the term of 31 years. The news of this grant gave 
great dissatisfaction to the colonists, who were already aware 
of the rapacious character of the two noblemen. 

18. Bacon's Rebellion. — The favor shown by the gov- 
ernor and the other officers of the crown toward the rich 
planters caused trouble with the smaller land-owners, of 
whom the poorest class now lost the right of suffrage. At 
that time, 1676, King Philip's war was raging in New 
England, and depredations upon the whites of Virginia 
began to be made by the tribes south of the Potomac. 
Nathaniel Bacon, a young and talented planter, was anxious 
to organize a militia force and proceed against the Indians. 
The governor, who had a monopoly of the Indian trade, 
refused the demand of Bacon, who thereupon raised a com- 
pany and went to the war. Berkeley proclaimed Bacon 



1680] Virginia. 49 

and his followers rebels, and a conflict ensued, in the 
course of which Jamestown was burnt. Soon afterward 
Bacon died, and the insurgents being without a leader the 
rebellion was quelled. By order of the governor upward 
of twenty of Bacon's adherents were hanged. 

19. Condition of Virginia. — The result of the rebellion 
was to increase, rather than diminish, the hardships of the 
colonists, who had a regiment of the king's soldiers quar- 
tered among them. The British navigation ads were a 
great grievance, for they required the colonists to ship their 
productions only in vessels of the mother-country. Unjust 
restrictions were also imposed upon Virginia's trade with 
the other colonies, and upon the manufacture of any articles 
which were made in England. 

20. Growth of a Local Aristocracy. — The state of society 
in Virginia was very different from what it was in New 
England, where the people settled at once in villages, and 
soon began the making of various kinds of goods to sup- 
ply their needs. In Virginia, on the other hand, the 
owners of the large plantations on the tide-water rivers 
exchanged their tobacco for English goods, which were 
brought directly to their wharves. For many years there 
were very few towns in the province, and those were of 
slow growth. The poorer class of settlers were kept in 
debt to the wealthy planters and in dependence upon them. 
Hence it happened that from the holders of large estates 
there were chosen the Council, Assembly, justices, and 
other officers of government. 

21. After Berkeley's Return, Lord Culpeper, having pur- 
chased Arlington's share of the grant of Virginia, became 
governor in 1680. Returning to England three years 
later, he sold his patent to the crown in exchange for a 
pension. The ruined village of Jamestown was deserted 



50 History of the United States. [1698 

in 1698, and the seat of government removed to Williams- 
burg. Until the Revolution Virginia continued to be 
ruled by the royal governors. 

; V* It is of special importance, before the teacher proceeds farther in the 
history, that he or she should make clear to the comprehension of the pupils 
the meaning of representation and representative government. Having ex- 
plained how the school committee represent the parents of the children, as 
well as the religious organization, or the community who elect them, and that 
the mayor, council, etc., of q city are chosen by its own people to make and 
administer laws for its government, they will have no difficulty in under- 
standing how officers (exclusively or largely) chosen by a company in England, 
might fail to represent properly a distant colony, or to attend promptly to 
their various needs and natural rights. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

NEW NETHERLAND — NEW YORK. 

1. Henry Hudson's Voyages. — In 1609, an English navi- 
gator, named Henry Hudson, while in the employ of some 
merchants of Amsterdam, entered the bay of New York. 
He also sailed up the river, now known as the Hudson, as 
far as the Catskills. The Indians were wonder-struck at 
the sight of the strange vessel (the "Half-Moon"), but, 
being badly treated, were glad to see it disappear down the 
river. The following year Hudson explored the great bay, 
north of Canada, which also bears his name. 

2. The Dutch occupy New Netherland. — The Dutch at 
once erected a fortified trading-post on Manhattan Island 
at the mouth of the river, and, by reason of Hudson's dis- 
coveries, laid claim to all the territory from Cape Cod to 
Delaware Bay. The English disputed this claim. As early 



1625] 



New Netherland. 



51 







as 1613, Captain Argall, from Jamestown, asserted his 
country's right to the soil. The Dutch lowered their flag, 
but raised it again as soon as Argall departed. 

3. A fortified trading-post was built on the Hudson, a 
little below the present 
site of Albany, in 161 5. 
Captain Mey (or May), 
who was sent out the 
same year by an Am- 
sterdam trading com- 
pany, entered Delaware 
Bay. Another vessel, 
commanded by Captain 
Block, sailed through 
Long Island Sound, 
making note of the out- 
lets of the Housatonic 
and Connecticut Rivers. 
On the Lower Delaware and at the mouth of the Con- 
necticut, fortified trading-posts were built by the Dutch, 
who gave to their American possessions the name of New 
Netherland. 

4. The Dutch West India Company was an organization 
formed in 1621, to which was granted entire control of the 
trade and settlement of New Netherland. A number of 
adventurers under Captain Mey, who was sent out by this 
company in 1623, built Fort Orange at the place where 
Albany afterward arose. By another party, Fort Nassau, 
on the Delaware, was built. 

5. Minuits, the First Director or governor for the com- 
pany, was sent over in 1625. The first regular colonists 
were Protestants from the French-Netherland frontier, and 
were called Walloons. They settled at Wallabout Bay, 
on the west end of Long Island. Manhattan Island was 



Paht op New Netherland. 



52 History of the United States. [1629 

bought from the Indians for sixty guilders, or about twenty- 
four dollars. The settlement which arose at the south end 
of that island was called New Amsterdam. 

6. Colonization by the Patroons. — In 1629, the West 
India Company, with the consent of the States-General of 
Holland, announced a scheme for the more rapid settling 
of New Netheiland. Any members of the company who 
should, within four years, cause at least fifty persons to 
settle upon a tract of land granted to them for the purpose, 
were to be allowed to take the title of patroon, with all 
its privileges of commerce and local government. The 
company reserved Manhattan Island to itself; but grants 
were soon made for several large manors, — as that of the 
Rensselaers, above and below Fort Orange; of Pavonia, 
on New York Harbor; and of Swansdale, on Delaware 
Bay. These patroons carried on an extensive trade with 
the Indians, but they frequently fell into sharp disputes 
with their tenants. 

7. Walter Van Twiller succeeded Minuits as director in 
1633. Shortly after his arrival, English settlers from New 
England built two fortified trading-houses on the Con- 
necticut River, near others belonging to the Dutch. One 
of these posts was near the location of the present city of 
Hartford ; the other, at the river's mouth. Although the 
Dutch protested, the question of the right of ownership of 
that region was not decided until Peter Stuyvesant became 
governor. 

8. Governor Kieft and New Sweden. — William Kieft 
succeeded Van Twiller as governor in 1638. In the same 
year some Swedes, under Minuits, formerly the governor 
of New Netherland, settled on land upon the Delaware, 
near where Wilmington now stands. The land was pur- 
chased from the Indians, and a fort was erected there, which 
was called Fort Christina, in honor of the Swedish queen. 



1647] 



New Netherland. 



53 



To her American domain of New Sweden Queen Christina 
sent a governor, John Printz, in 1643. Notwithstanding 
the protests made by Kieft that the Dutch were the right- 
ful owners of all that 
region, Printz caused a 




New Sweden. 



fort to be built on Tini- 
ciim Island, near the 
mouth of the Schuyl- 
kill. Two other forts 
were erected on the east 
side of the Delaware. 

9. Kieft's Indian 
Wars. — No war broke 
out between the Dutch 
and Indians until about 
thirty years after the 
founding of the colony. 
In the year 1641, some Indians of the Raritan tribe being 
suspected of stealing, Kieft sent an expedition against 
them, and several of their warriors were killed. For this 
the Indians retaliated. Two years later the Hackensacks 
were attacked and many of them murdered, because one 
of their number when drunk with liquor supplied by the 
Dutch had killed two whites. 

10. The neighboring Indians on Long Island, and others 
along the Hudson, then united against the Dutch, killing 
many, and burning their dwellings and barns. Finally, in 
1645, Kieft made a treaty with the Mohawks, who had not 
taken part in the war, and through their influence the hos- 
tile tribes agreed to a peace. The colony having suffered 
great loss by these wars, the unpopular governor was recalled 
by the company. 

11. Administration of Stuyvesant. — Peter Stuyvesant, 
being appointed governor of the colony in 1647, undertook 

5* 



54 History of the United States. [1651 

the task of bringing it back to its former state of prosperity. 
The dispute with New England respecting the boundary 
was referred to four arbitrators. They decided that the 
Dutch were to retain the west end of Long Island, where 
Brooklyn and some other settlements had arisen ; also, 
that the western boundary of Connecticut was nowhere to 
approach within ten miles of the Hudson River. 

12. On the Delaware, where New Castle was afterward 
built, Stuyvesant, in 1651, caused Fort Casimir to be 
erected. Four years later, the Dutch having sent a strong 
force to the Delaware, all the military posts of New Swe- 
den fell into their hands. During Stuyvesant's admin- 
istration many Africans were brought into the colony by 
vessels of the West India Company, and were sold at public 
auction into slavery. 

13. Form of Government. — The director, his council, and 
the.sherilf, administered the government for the company. 
They could make and execute the laws, and also act as 
judges in matters of dispute, thus giving the people no 
voice in the government. Quarrels about questions of 
authority frequently occurred with the governors, who 
sometimes denied to the people the right of appeal to Hol- 
land. The more liberal government of New England was 
well known to the New Netherland colonists. Upon one 
occasion they sent a remonstrance to Holland, in which 
they spoke of New England as a place " where neither 
patroons, nor lords, nor princes are known, but only the 
people." Hence, when England made a demand for the 
surrender of the colony, many of the people were not 
unwilling to come under its rule. 

14. The English take New Netherland. — The Duke of 
York, brother of King Charles II., purchased various 
English claims for Long Island and the territory between 
the Connecticut and Delaware Rivers, then partly occupied, 



1673] 



New Netherland — New York. 



55 



as we have seen, by the Dutch. The king confirmed the 
duke's title to the territory, which thereupon received the 
name of New York. Next, in 1664, three armed ships 
arrived at New Amsterdam from England, and a demand 
was made by the duke's agents for the surrender of the 
place. Governor Stuyvesant complied, although loath to 
yield without making any resistance. Fort Orange and 




New Turk in 1059. 



the forts on the Delaware were also given up, and thus 
the whole of New Netherland came under English control. 
The town of New Amsterdam had its name changed to 
New York. 

15. When War broke out between England and Holland 
in 1673, New York, Long Island, and the Delaware settle- 
ments passed again into the hands of the Dutch, but were 
held by them until the following year only. 

16. The Duke of York, Proprietor. — The improvement 
in their political affairs which the people of New Nether- 



56 History of the United States. [1674 

land had expected, did not come to pass for twenty years. 
The governors sent over by the duke were disposed to be 
harsh in the exercise of their authority. This was particu- 
larly the case with Sir Edmund Andros, who received the 
appointment in 1674. He finally became so obnoxious to 
the people that another governor was appointed, and a 
charter of liberties was granted to the colony allowing it 
a representative assembly. But, when the duke became 
king under the title of James II., in 1685, Andros was 
reinstated in power, and the privileges which had been 
granted were revoked. 

17. Disagreements with the Royal Governors. — Upon the 
accession of William and Mary in 1688, the people ap- 
pointed Jacob Leisler, a merchant of New York, governor. 
Two years elapsed before the arrival of Henry Sloughter, 
whom the king had appointed to that office. The populace 
still espousing the cause of Leisler, the latter was arrested 
for high treason and was hanged. Although the repre- 
sentative assembly was restored, disagreements with the 
governors concerning the provincial expenses were fre- 
quent. Upon no subject were they more so than upon 
that of the governors' salaries. In the four wars with 
the French for the possession of Canada, the New York 
settlements were often ravaged by hostile Indians, as will 
appear in a later chapter. 



i* The teacher should not fail to point out to the pupils, as they progress in 
the history, how variously the American colonies were governed, — some being 
ruled by royal governors, others being under the control of proprietors, whilst 
others, again, were under charters which gave to the freemen the power to 
frame their own laws. Likewise, how the political tendency, in all the colo- 
nies, was always toward self-rule and a republican form of government. 



1620] The New England Colonies. 57 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES. 
PRELIMINARY VIEW. 

New Plymouth. — The colony of New Plymouth was 
founded by the Pilgrim Fathers (Independents) in 1620. 
It was annexed to Massachusetts in 1692. 

Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded by Puritans (not 
Separatists) in 1628. 

Connecticut. — Emigrants from Plymouth in 1633, and 
from Boston in 1635, settled the colony of Connecticut; 
whilst merchants and others from England, in 1638, 
founded the independent settlement of New Haven. The 
two colonies were united in 1664. 

Rhode Island, — In 1636, Roger Williams, being exiled 
from Massachusetts Bay Colony, settled " Providence Plan- 
tation;" other exiles, two years later, settled " Rhode Island 
Plantation." They were united under one administration 
in 1663. 

New Hampshire. — Settlements were made within what is 
now New Hampshire in 1633, but the colony came under 
the government of Massachusetts in 1641, and so remained 
until 1679, when it became a distinct royal province. In 
1690 it was again united to Massachusetts, and remained 
under the same government until 1741. 

Maine. — Part of what is now Maine was granted to 
Ferdinando Gorges in 1621. The colony was settled very 



58 History of t/ie United States. [1606 

slowly. It came under the control of Massachusetts in 
1653, and was not made a separate Stale until L820. 

The United Colonies of New England was the title of 
a confederacy organized in L642, comprising the colonics 
of Massachusetts, Now Plymouth, Connecticut, and New 
Haven. This League, which was entered into mainly for 
purposes of protection against the Dutch, French, and 
Indians, came to an end in lo'ljo. 

COLONY OP NEW PLYMOUTH. 

1. The Plymouth Bay Company, or the Company of North 
Virginia, was organized at the same time as the South Vir- 
ginia Company, in 160b*. The next year, whilst James- 
town was being settled by colonists sent by the latter, others 
sent out by the Plymouth Company landed at the month 
of the Kennebec. Becoming discouraged, however, they 
returned the following year to England. In 1014, Cap- 
tain John Smith was sent to the same locality, and made a 
map oi' the coast, which he presented to Prince Charles, 
at the same time changing the name of the country from 
North Virginia to New England. 

2. The Council for New England became the name of 
a new body incorporated by King dames T. in 1620. It 
took the place o{' the Plymouth Company, and comprised 
many new members. The "Great Patent" gave them the 
sole rights of government ami trade in all that part of the 
American territory comprised between the -40th and 48th 
parallels of north latitude, and extending from the At- 
lantic to the Pacific Ocean. It therefore included the 
present Canada, New England, and the greater part of 
the Middle States. 

3. The Pilgrim Fathers. — The first permanent settlement 
in New England was made by a company of Independ- 
ents or Congregationalists,* called the "Pilgrim Fathers." 



1620] 



Colony of New /'///mouth. 



59 



These people had separated from the Established Church 
of England, and, to escape persecution, fled to Holland. 
Fearful, however, that their children would lost; the sim- 




plicity of their faith in that land, they decided (o seek 
an asylum in America. Permission being granted by the 
London or South Virginia Company, the emigrants, 102 
in number, set sail from Plymouth, England, in the ship 

Mayflower, for the Hudson River. 

4. Landing of the Pilgrims. — Carried by storms north- 



60 History of the United States. [1620 

ward of the London Company's territory, the Pilgrims 
came to land at Cape Cod. Having cruised many days 
around the bay, exposed to storms and severe cold, the ex- 
plorers finally found a suitable harbor on its western side. 
On the 21st day of the Twelfth month (December), 1620, 
the weary voyagers landed on " Plymouth Rock." 

5. The First Winter. — John Carver was chosen the first 
governor. So great were the hardships of the first winter 
from famine, cold, and disease, that more than half the 
settlers, including the governor, perished. Provisions were 
then obtained from a settlement at the mouth of the Ken- 
nebec. As the soil near Ply month was not fertile, several 
years elapsed before enough land had been broken up and 
cultivated to meet the demand for food. 

6. Friendliness of the Indians. — It was well for the colo- 
nists, in the midst of their many trials, that the Indians 
proved friendly. The first to meet the Pilgrims had been 
Samoset, greeting them with the words, " Welcome, Eng- 
lishmen." A treaty was made with Massasoit, chief of the 
Wampanoags, so that there arose no trouble with these In- 
dians until the breaking out of King Philip's war in 1675. 
But Miles Standish, the first appointed captain of the 
militia, had several encounters with Indians of other tribes, 
some of them being killed. When John Robinson, a lead- 
ing minister among the Independents, who remained in 
Holland, heard of this, he wrote, "Oh, how happy a thing 
it would have been that you had converted some before you 
killed any !" 

7. Government of Plymouth. — The Pilgrims had been 
first bound together as a religious association only; but, 
before leaving the Mayflower, they entered into a compact 
to make such civil laws as might be necessary, and to sub- 
mit to and obey them. All the freemen of the colony at 
first constituted a General Court or assembly, and made the 



1628] Massachusetts. 61 

laws ; but later, the towns chose representatives. The free- 
men annually elected the governor and his assistants, or 
council. By the revised laws of 1671, each town chose a 
body of selectmen, who were given power to decide all 
small causes at law, but appeal could be taken to the court. 
We thus see how much more free was the government of 
the Pilgrims than was that which early prevailed in either 
Virginia or New York. 

8. No Charter was granted the colony by the Plymouth 
Council of England, but, after several years' delay, the 
Pilgrims were allowed a patent for the land where they had 
settled. 

MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY. 

9. The Puritans. — North of the Plymouth Colony a 
second and larger colony soon arose, which was settled by 
the Puritans. These were not separatists from the Estab- 
lished Church of England, as were the Pilgrims of Ply- 
mouth ; but, objecting to many of the practices still retained 
by the national church, they desired a simpler form of 
living and worship. To be free in the enjoyment of their 
religious belief, many of them now began to turn their 
attention to the New World. 

10. The Massachusetts Bay Grant. — In 1628 some of the 
Puritans obtained from the Council for New England a 
grant of the "Plantation of Massachusetts Bay," extending 
from three miles north of the Merrimac Piver to three 
miles south of the Charles, and from ocean to ocean. John 
Endicott, with the first body of colonists under this grant, 
settled at Naumkeag, now Salem, where there were already 
a few families. Others settled at Charlestown. 

11. Settlement of Boston. — The company in England, 
having obtained a charter with some difficulty from the 
king, concluded to transfer the government directly to the 
colony. John Winthrop was appointed the first governor, 

G 



G2 History of the United States. [1630 

an honor to which he was frequently re-elected. He came 
over to the colony in 1630. Seventeen vessels, containing 
1000 persons, together with farm animals and implements, 
arrived the same year. They settled upon the little penin- 
sula at the head of Massachusetts Bay, naming the place 
Boston. Roxbury, Cambridge, Lynn, and other settlements 
arose at the same time. [See maps, pages 59, 108.] 

12. The Government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony 
was much like that of Plymouth, but the right to vote 
was granted to " church members only." The colony was 
formed with the idea of preserving what they believed to 
be a pure form of worship, and therefore much of the 
legislation partook of a religious as well as civil character. 
Town-meetings, to discuss local matters and to choose the 
men to manage them, early became a marked feature in 
Massachusetts government. There Mere magistrates for 
the towns, to try petty causes, whilst other magistrates (the 
governor's assistants) formed the Assistants' Court, for 
trying causes of a more serious nature. Thus, home rule 
seemed established. 

13. Eliot and the Praying Indians. — John Eliot is known 
in New England history as the " Apostle to the Indians." 
In 1646, at their village of Nonatum, ten miles west of 
Boston, he established a civilized Christian settlement of 
the natives, the first of the kind in the English colonies. 
Seven such villages of the " Praying Indians," as they were 
called, were organized around Boston. A magistrate was 
appointed for the trial of offences and settlement of differ- 
ences among them. Several similar settlements were estab- 
lished within the limits of Plymouth Colony, as well as in 
the country of the Nipmucks, about fifty miles southwest of 
Boston. At the time of the breaking out of King Philip's 
war there were probably more than 3500 Indians who had 
been thus brought under the direct care of the whites. 



1036] 



Massachusetts. 



63 



14. Education. — A school for the advanced education of 
the youth was established at Cambridge in 1688. Henry 
Dunster, a learned Hebrew scholar, was its first president. 
In acknowledgment of a large bequest of money and books 
from John Harvard, the institution received the name of 
Harvard College. The same year there arrived the first 
printing-press used by the English in America. A metrical 
version of the Psalms, prepared by John Eliot and others, 
was printed upon it in 1640. Eliot also translated the 
Bible into the Indian dialect, and it was printed some 
years later. By the law 

of 1647, every town of fifty 
householders was required 
to appoint a teacher to 
instruct the children how 
to read and write, whilst 
towns of one hundred 
families were obliged to 
provide a grammar-school. 

15. Manufactures and 
Trade. — In order that 
Massachusetts and the 
other New England colo- 
nies might not be dependent on England for all their goods, 
the making of cotton, linen, and woollen goods was early 
started. Ship-building also became a profitable source of 
industry, staves, skins, and dried fish being some of the 
chief articles of export. The vessels which carried them 
to the West Indies or other distant ports would frequently 
go around by the Guinea coast for return cargoes of slaves. 
As there was not much coin in circulation in the colonies, 
such articles as beaver-skins, musket-balls, and the Indian 
wampum were freely made use of. 

16. Persecution of Baptists and Antinomians. — In 1636, 




Early Printing Press. 



64 History of the United States. [1637 

Roger Williams, a Baptist, was banished from Massachu- 
setts for declaring that the civil magistrate had no authority 
or right to rule in matters of conscience. A year later, 
Anne Hutchinson, who was charged with setting up the 
" Antinomian heresy," — that faith was sufficient without 
good works, — was also sent into exile. Sir Henry Vane, 
who was appointed governor in 1637, was soon superseded 
by Winthrop for holding like views. Others of both these 
sects were either banished or left the colony unbidden. 

17. Persecution of the Quakers. — A violent persecution 
broke out against the Friends in 1656. A law was passed 
forbidding any ship-master to bring a Quaker into the colony 
under the penalty of £100 and the obligation to carry such 
a one away again. Many of the Friends, both women and 
men, were thrown into prison, whipped, kept in irons, had 
their tongues bored through or ears cut on , and under- 
went many other indignities. Endicott, the governor, and 
Norton, a leading clergyman of Boston, were participants 
in this work of persecution. 

18. Finally, a law was passed that any Quaker returning 
to the colony after being banished, should suffer the pen- 
alty of death. Four of those who believed it their duty 
to come back to the colony, one of them a woman named 
Mary Dyer, were hanged on Boston Common. They all 
met their death with Christian resignation, declaring it was 
for Christ's sake they suifered. When the news of these 
bloody proceedings reached England, the king sent word 
that the executions must cease. 

19. ICing Philip's War. — The Cause, — More than half a 
century had the whites lived in the land, and year by year 
they had acquired the lands of the Wampanoags at a trifling 
cost. The natives beginning to fear they would lose their 
homes altogether, one of them, a chief named Metacomet 
or "King Philip," entered into a combination of the tribes 



1688] Massachusetts. 65 

to recover their lands and liberty. An Indian who gave 
the whites this information was killed by some of his tribe. 
The murderers, in turn, having been tried and executed 
by the settlers, the Indians, with Philip as their leader, 
determined to seek revenue. 

20. Events of the War. — The war began in the summer of 
1675 with the massacre of several whites by the Indians. 
Militia of the Massachusetts and Plymouth Colonies pro- 
ceeded against the Wampanoags, who had been joined by 
the Mohcgans. Near Deerfield, upward of 100 of the 
militia and farmers w r ere killed in an ambuscade. Deer- 
field itself, Northfield, Springfield, and other towns, were 
burnt. The Indians were then pursued into the country 
of the Narragansetts, with which tribe they were in league. 
Their fort being surrounded by the whites, many hundreds 
of the Indians were shot, and their wigwams destroyed by 
fire. In the following year, many settlements nearer Boston 
and others in Rhode Island were fired by the Indians, but 
Philip was finally pursued to his home on Mount Hope 
Bay, and shot in his effort to escape. 

21. Results. — Of the eighty towns of Massachusetts and 
Plymouth, fifty had been damaged or destroyed by fire. 
About 600 of the colonists had been killed, or were taken 
prisoners and never again heard of. A much larger num- 
ber of the Indians had been slain, whilst the labor bestowed 
on the Praying Indians during so many years was mostly 
lost. The war also extended southward, stirring up the 
tribes of Maryland and Virginia against the whites, whilst 
eastward, nearly one-half the settlements in Maine and New 
Hampshire were destroyed. The loss of life there was, in 
proportion, still greater than it was in Massachusetts. 

22. The Salem Witchcraft.— The six years from 1688 to 
1693 were memorable in New England by reason of the 
witch excitement. This delusion prevailed chiefly around 

e G* 



66 History of the United States. [1G84 

Salem, the accusations of witchcraft being made mostly 
against old or ill-featured women. A court to try the cases 
was held, presided over by Governor Phipps. Fifty per- 
sons were convicted in four months, and twenty of them 
were hanged. Even the leading clergymen were carried 
away by the foolish delusion. Finally, when accusations 
began to be made against people of excellent repute, the 
excitement died out. 

23. Royal Claims to Supremacy. — When Cromwell died 
and the Puritans lost their power in England, at the Res- 
toration, measures were taken to check the growing inde- 
pendence of the colonies. Several of the colonies received 
the commissioners sent over by the king, but Massachusetts 
would not at first acknowledge their authority. Few of 
the king's suggestions were adopted. At last, in 1684, the 
colonial charter was declared forfeited. 

24. The Royal Governors. — King Charles dying at this 
time, James II., his successor, in 1686, sent over Sir Ed- 
mund Andros as royal governor of all New England. 
So harsh was his rule that when, in 1689, King James 
was exiled from England, and William and Mary became 
the ruling sovereigns, the people of Massachusetts im- 
prisoned Andros and his friends and demanded the old 
charter. That instrument, however, was somewhat too 
liberal to suit the king, who sent over the "Province 
Charter" in 1691. From that time until the Revolution, 
Massachusetts (to which Plymouth and Maine were also 
annexed) was subject to governors chosen by the King of 
England. The first governor under the new charter was 
Sir William Phipps. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

25. Mason and Gorges Grants. — In 1621 and 1622, John 
Mason and Ferdinando Gorges, members of the Plymouth 
Council, received grants from the king for the territory 



1029] New Hampshire and Maine. 67 

between the Merrimac and Kennebec Rivers, and extend- 
ing from the ocean to the river St. Lawrence. Many con- 
flicting claims, some of them with Massachusetts, arose 
in consequence of these grants. The portion west of the 
Piscataqua was allotted to Mason in 1629, and received the 
name of New Hampshire. 

26. The First Settlements were made at Dover and Ports- 
mouth in 1623; but so slow was the growth of the colony 
that, thirty years after that date, Portsmouth contained 
scarcely sixty families. The New Hampshire settlements, 
and those of Maine, suffered greatly by Indian ravages at 
the time of King Philip's war, as well as subsequently 
during the several wars with the French. Concord, on 
the Merrimac, the capital, was not laid out until 1726. 

27. Changes of Government. — The New Hampshire set- 
tlements were annexed to Massachusetts in 1641, and re- 
mained so until 1679, when the colony came under the 
king's jurisdiction. It was not until 1741 that New 
Hampshire, which had had the same governors as Massa- 
chusetts, was permitted to have a governor of its own, — 
Benning Wentworth. The town of Bennington, then set- 
tled, received from him its name. 

MAINE. 

28. Claimants of Maine. — When Mason and Gorges 
made division of their lands in 1629, the territory com- 
prised between the Piscataqua and Kennebec Rivers was 
allotted to Gorges. East of the Kennebec as far as the 
Penobscot, known later as the District of Cornwall, was 
granted to the Earl of Sterling, to whom was also given a 
patent for Nova Scotia. The French, however, claimed 
the territory of the Sterling grant as part of their Acadia. 

29. Early Settlements. — After Gosnold's voyage along 
the Maine coast in 1602, that locality became a frequent 
resort of fishermen, but the only settlements at the time 



68 



History of the United States. 



1636 



Gorges became owner of Maine were at Pemaquid Point 
and Monhegan Island. Saco and York were then settled, 
a court being held at the former place in 1636. But the 
growth of the colony was still more slow than was that of 
New Hampshire, so that, upon the death of Gorges, the 
few settlers were allowed to govern themselves as they 
pleased. 

30. Annexation to Massachusetts. — Massachusetts Bay 
Colony having laid claim to Maine as being hers by the 




The Lumbermen's Haunt. 



Great Charter, the towns reluctantly came under Puritan 
government in 1653. Some years later, Massachusetts pur- 
chased the rights held by the heirs of Gorges. Maine re- 
mained attached to Massachusetts until 1820, when it was 
admitted as a separate State into the Union. Its great 
forests, situated upon the navigable rivers, and upon the 



1636] Connecticut. 69 

many lakes of the interior, proved one of the principal 
sources of wealth to the State. In lumbering and ship- 
building, Maine for many years took the lead. 

CONNECTICUT. 

31. Dutch and English Claims. — The Dutch of New 
Netherland claiming the territory north of Long Island 
Sound, built, in 1633, two trading-posts on the Connecti- 
cut River. One of these was near the river's mouth ; the 
other, the " House of Good Hope," was. near the site of the 
present city of Hartford. They bought the land at both the 
settlements from the Indians. But the Council for New 
England had, in 1630, made a grant of the land on the 
Connecticut to the Earl of Warwick, who, the next year, 
sold it to Lord Say and Seal and others. The troubles 
which thence arose with the Dutch were settled during the 
directorship of Peter Stuyvesant. 

32. Windsor and Saybrook Settlements. — Without per- 
mission from the English proprietors, some Plymouth 
colonists in 1633 settled the town of Windsor, near the 
Dutch House of Good Hope. In 1635, however, John 
Winthrop, son of the Massachusetts governor, came with 
a commission from the proprietors themselves, and built a 
fort at Saybrook, at the mouth of the Connecticut. The 
same winter a company of others arrived from Massachu- 
setts, but endured great hardships on their wilderness 
journey. In 1636, Hooker and Stone, ministers of the 
gospel, and many other reputable emigrants, settled at 
Hartford and adjacent places. 

33. New Haven Colony. — A company, largely of mer- 
chants, arriving at Bostotf from England when the Hutchin- 
son controversy was at its height, determined to seek homes 
in some quieter locality. Led by Theophilus Eaton and 
John Davenport, they chose a small tract of land at the 



70 History of the United States. [1638 

head of Quinnipiack Bay, on Long Island Sound, and 
called the place New Haven. This was in the year 1638. 
The land was purchased from the Indians at the price of 
ten coats. Eaton, chosen the first governor, continued for 
twenty years to hold the post. The right of suffrage was, 
as in Massachusetts, restricted to church members, and the 
Scriptures were ordered to be the law of the land. 

34. The Pequod War, of 1636, arose in consequence of 
the harsh retaliation which the settlers visited upon the 
Indians, who had killed some ill-behaved traders. The 
whites having sought revenge by killing many more of the 
Indians, the latter began making reprisals. Next, Endi- 
cott from Boston, with some volunteers, destroyed several 
of the Pequod villages ; also their plantations of corn, their 
canoes and wigwams, on Block Island. Other volunteers 
from the Connecticut settlements then attacked two fortified 
villages of the Pequods near the mouth of the Thames, 
set them on fire, and killed '600 of the warriors, with their 
women and children. Fourteen only escaped this awful 
massacre. The remainder of the tribe were pursued into 
a swamp and obliged to surrender. A number of the 
prisoners were distributed among the colonists as slaves. 

35. United Colonies of New England.— In 1643, Massa- 
chusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven entered 
into a confederacy for the preservation of their religious 
faith, and for mutual protection against the Dutch, French, 
and Indians. Rhode Island and Maine were not invited 
to join the federation, as they were said to "run a different 
course." Two commissioners were appointed from each of 
the colonies. They met annually in each colony alter- 
nately, and, in deciding upon any'measure, the assent of six 
of the eight members was necessary ; yet their decisions 
were not necessarily binding. The league came to an end 
in 1665, when New Haven was united to Connecticut. 



1636] Rhode Island. 71 

36. The Constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639 at 
Hartford by all the freemen of the colony, is noted, ac- 
cording to Bancroft, as "the first in the series of written 
American constitutions framed by the people for the 
people." Virginia's constitution of 1621, as already shown, 
was framed by the London Company in England. The 
constitution of Connecticut provided for the election by the 
people of a governor and assistants, and also of deputies to 
form a representative assembly. There Mas no recognition 
of any controlling political power superior to the people. 

37. The Charter of Connecticut, obtained by John Win- 
throp from King Charles in 1662, agreed in its liberal 
provisions with the constitution. The boundaries of the 
province were defined on the north-east and south, and, as 
with Massachusetts, were declared to extend westward to 
the Pacific Ocean. New Haven, although included within 
these limits, did not ^ once accede to the union. When 
Andros, in 1686, was appointed royal governor, and, 
coming to Connecticut, demanded the surrender of the char- 
ter, it was hidden from him in the hollow of an oak. So 
well was the charter liked that it continued in force until 
the year 1818. 

RHODE ISLAND. 

38. Roger Williams Banished.— In 1636, Roger Wil- 
liams, the Baptist, was banished from the colony of Massa- 
chusetts, because his views concerning liberty of conscience 
were thought heretical by the Puritan magistrates. He 
was opposed to the exaction of tithes for the support of 
any one sect, and to the infliction of punishment for dif- 
ferences in religious belief. Many weeks in the depth of 
winter the exile wandered in the wilderness, and was grate- 
ful at last to receive food and shelter from the Indians. 

39. Providence Founded. — Deciding to settle at the head 
of Narragansett Bay, Williams called the place Providence, 



72 History of the United States. [1638 

because of "God's merciful providence to him in his dis- 
tress." From the Indians he obtained a clear title to the 
land. Severely as he had been dealt with by the Puritans, 
he harbored no resentment against them, and when, soou 
afterward, the war with the Pequods broke out, he pre- 
vailed upon the Narragansetts not to join that tribe. 

40. Rhode Island Plantation. — In 1638, a number of re- 
spectable emigrants from England, holding religious views 
not agreeable to the Puritans of Massachusetts, came to 
Providence. They were led by John Clark and William 
Corldington. In accordance with the advice of Roger 
Williams, they settled on the island of Aquidneck, which 
was afterward called Rhode Island. Newport was founded 
the following year, 1639. The Plantation of Rhode Island 
remained separate from Providence until 1644. 

41. Wise Laws. — The settlers on Rhode Island, as well 
as Roger Williams and his friends^at Providence, enacted 
a few simple laws for their government, founded on the 
principles of love and good-will to all. No laws were 
passed interfering with the free exercise of the conscience. 
All private disputes were ordered to be settled by arbi- 
trators chosen by the parties to the quarrel; but if they 
refused, then the chosen selectmen or " disposers" of the 
town were to decide the matter. 

42. The Charter. — From the English Parliament, Roger 
Williams, with the assistance of Sir Henry Vane, obtained 
a charter for the plantations in 1644, uniting them under 
one government. Some of its provisions not being satisfac- 
tory, a union was not fully agreed to until 1663, when a 
new charter was granted by Charles II. Like that of Con- 
necticut, it gave full liberty to the people in the election of 
their officers and in legislation, and remained the constitu- 
tion of the State down to 1842. Courts for judicial business 
were held alternately at Providence and Newport. 



1634] Maryland. 73 



CHAPTER X. 

MARYLAND, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE. 
MARYLAND. 

1. The Founder of Maryland was George Calvert, a 
Romanist. Receiving a grant of part of Newfoundland, 
he attempted to make a settlement there in 1624, but, the 
locality not being a desirable one, he turned his attention 
to Virginia. Finding that liberty of conscience was not 
assured in that province, he succeeded in obtaining from 
King Charles I. the grant of Maryland. Before that 
occurred, Calvert had acquired the title of Lord Baltimore. 

2. The Maryland Grant was claimed as including the 
territory between the 40th parallel of latitude and the 
Potomac River, and extended from the ocean to the head- 
waters of that stream. Its name was conferred in honor 
of Henrietta Maria, the queen. George Calvert having 
died before the charter was issued, his son Cecil succeeded 
to the proprietorship. 

3. The First Settlement in the province was made by a 
company of Catholics under Leonard Calvert, a brother of 
Cecil, who came in two ships, the Ark and Dove, in 1634. 
At an Indian village on the north side of the Potomac near 
its mouth, the settlers landed, the natives generously per- 
mitting them to occupy their wigwams. They called the 
place St. Mary's. [See map, page 43.] Peace was in after- 
years mostly kept with the Indians, but there was some 
trouble with the Susquehanna tribe on the northward, 
and with the Nanticokes on the east of the Chesapeake. 

7 



74 History of the United States. [1646 

The cultivation of tobacco very much engaged the atten- 
tion of the settlers, as it did of those oT Virginia, and the 
keeping of slaves was encouraged in the same manner. 

4. Opposition of Clayborne. — Much opposition to the 
Maryland grant was made by William Clayborne, surveyor 
and secretary of the Council of Virginia. Having a 
license to trade in the Chesapeake, he had established a 
post at the mouth of the Susquehanna, and another on 
Kent Island. The island was taken by the settlers of St. 
Mary's, and Clayborne driven away. He returned several 
years later to the island, and for a time gave the settlers 
much trouble, even keeping away the governor during 
more than a year (1646) from the province. 

5. The Proprietary Charter gave permission to Lord 
Baltimore and his heirs to make laws with the advice and 
consent of the freemen of the province, but the laws were 
not to be repugnant to those of England. He might im- 
pose taxes, establish courts, appoint the governor and other 
officials, and manage the province as he saw fit. The pro- 
prietor sent a code of laws to the colonists, but they pre- 
ferred to choose their representatives and make their own 
laws. They agreed, however, that he should appoint the 
members of the upper house. Their good understanding 
with Lord Baltimore lasted during all his long proprietor- 
ship of forty-three years. 

6. Religious Toleration was secured to the colonists almost 
as fully as in Rhode Island. It was provided that" no 
person within this province, professing to believe in Jesus 
Christ, shall be in any ways troubled, molested, or dis- 
couraged for his or her religion, or in the free exercise 
thereof." Nevertheless, the Quakers were frequently fined 
or imprisoned for their testimonies against war and oaths. 
At the time of the supremacy of Cromwell and the Parlia- 
ment in England (1649-1660), many Puritans came into 
the colony, and for a while the Catholics were disfranchised. 



1064] Maryland. New Jersey. 75 

7. The Royal Government. — Upon the accession of Wil- 
liam and Mary id 1689, the proprietor of Maryland lost 
his rights, and a royal governor, Lionel Copley, was ap- 
pointed. His successor, Nicholson, removed the seat of 
government from St. Mary's to Annapolis in 1694. Dur- 
ing the twenty-four years that Maryland was subject to 
royal governors, the national church of England was set 
up in the colony, and the religious and civil affairs of the 
parishes were placed in the hands of vestries. 

8. Later Proprietary Government. — The province of 
Maryland was restored to its proprietors in 1715, and re- 
mained in their possession until the Revolution. Frederick 
Calvert was the sixth and last Lord Baltimore. Although 
the city of Baltimore was laid out in 1729, for thirty years 
or more it remained a mere village, second in importance 
to Annapolis. 

NEW JERSEY - . 

9. Early Possessors. — The territory lying between the 
Delaware River on the west and the Lower Hudson and 
the ocean on the east was granted in 1634 to Sir Edmund 
Ployden, and called by him New Albion. Neglecting to 
organize settlements, Ployden's grant became void, and the 
Dutch included the territory in New Netherland. The 
Swedes, about 1640, built several forts on and near the 
Lower Delaware. 

10. Berkeley and Carteret Grant.— The English, in 1664, 
becoming owners of New Netherland, the Duke of York 
immediately afterward granted this part of his possessions 
to Sir George Carteret and Lord Berkeley. It was called* 
New Jersey in compliment to Carteret, who had been 
governor of the island of Jersey in the English Channel. 
Philip Carteret, a kinsman, was New Jersey's first gov- 
ernor, and Elizabethtown was chosen as the seat of gov- 
ernment. On Newark and Raritan Bays settlements soon 



76 



History of the United States. 



[1074 



arose, many Puritans coming thither from Long Island 
and New England. The question of the payment of quit- 
rents agitated the colonists several years. 

11. Purchased by the Friends. — In 1G74, Berkeley sold 

West New Jersey, 

his half share of 
the province, to 
Edward Byllingc 
and John Fenwick, 
members of the 
Society of Friends. 
Salem, near an old 
fort of the Swedes, 
east of Delaware 
Bay, was then set- 
tled by Fenwick. 
William Penn and 
other Friends 
bought By Hinge's 
share in 1677, 
and, the same year, 
Burlington was 
founded. Two 
years later the 
Friends also purchased East New Jersey, which had be- 
longed to Carteret. Robert Barclay, "the Apologist," was 
the first governor. 

12. Presbyterians in East Jersey. — The Presbyterians of 
^Scotland, who were at that time exposed to much persecu- 
tion, were invited by Penn and his Friends to take an equal 
part in the management of East Jersey. They accepted 
the oiler with alacrity, and many of them settled in the 
province. One of the twelve Scotch proprietors was the 
Earl of Perth, from -whom was named Perth Amboy. 




New Jersey and the Delaware River Settlements. 



1702] New Jersey. 77 

13. Peace with the Indians was always the rule in New 
Jersey. The Quaker settlers made no use of Avarlike 
weapons, so that good-will prevailed with the Minisinks 
and other tribes, and the white men built their homesteads 
and cultivated their fields undisturbed. The Indians had 
obtained' strong liquors from the Swedes, but the request 
to the Friends that their sale might be prohibited was at 
once granted. About 1745, David Brainerd engaged in 
religious labors amongst the Indians, drawing many of 
them away from their pagan praetiees. 

14. The Government of the proprietors Berkeley and 
Carteret was a liberal one. Although they appointed the 
governor and some other offieers, the people chose their 
own representatives, who established the courts and levied 
the taxes. The later government of the Quaker proprietors 
was similar, except that the people were permitted to choose 
all the offieers except the governor. The " Concessions" 
were mutually agreed upon between the proprietors and 
people, and hence could not fail to give satisfaction. " We 
put the power in the people," was the message of the 
Quaker proprietors to the emigrants. 

15. The Royal Rule. — Andros, the royal governor of 
New York and New England, claimed authority not only 
over those provinces, but over New Jersey also. His 
usurpations as to the latter were not sustained. Neverthe- 
less, there were many disputes between the proprietors and 
the crown, until finally, in 1702, the proprietors surren- 
dered their ownership. East and West Jersey were then 
united under one royal governor, Lord Cornbury. The 
power of the people was very greatly restricted, and often 
the governors were (as was Cornbury) haughty and exacting. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

16. The Founder of Pennsylvania. — In payment of cer- 
tain claims owing by the English government to Admiral 

7* 



78 History of the United States. [1681 

Penn, there was granted to his son, William Penn, in 1681, 
a tract of land in America. This tract was to include 
three degrees of latitude, and to extend westward from the 
Delaware River five degrees of longitude. William Penn 
had, years before, united with the religious society called 
Quakers, and, as a consequence, had endured much persecu- 
tion, being imprisoned in the Tower of London and other 
places. Prompted by no selfish purpose of gain, but de- 
sirous of offering to the persecuted people of all religious 
creeds, and especially to the Friends, a refuge from their 
oppressors, he felt impelled to try in America what he 
called a " holy experiment." 

17. Message to the Indians. — William Markham was 
first sent, in 1681, as Penn's deputy, to announce the 
coming of the emigrants, and to greet the Indians in the 
name of the proprietor. In his letter to the natives, Penn 
told them that, though the king of the country where he 
lived had given him the province, yet he desired to enjoy 
it only with their love and consent; that he hoped to 
secure their friendship by just and peaceable actions, and 
that he himself would shortly come and arrange everything 
to their satisfaction. 

18. Penn's Arrival. — In the following year, 1682, Penn, 
with about 100 emigrants, mostly Friends, sailed for the 
Delaware in the ship Welcome. He arrived at New Castle 
late in the year, and, landing there, the Swedes, English, 
and Dutch acknowledged his government. The Duke of 
York had previously conveyed to Penn his ownership of 
the three Lower Counties on the Delaware. Penn then 
proceeded up the river to Shackamaxon, where, under a 
spreading elm-tree, it is said, the Great Treaty was held 
with the Indians " which was never sworn to and never 
broken." The Quaker proprietor repeated the assurances 
of peace and good- will which his letter contained, telling 



16821 



Pennsylvania. 



79 



the Indians that he came unarmed among them, that their 
lands would be fairly purchased, and that he desired all to 
be openness, brotherhood, and love. Presents were then 
given to the sachems, who, in return, handed back the 
peace-belt of wampum. 

19. Results of the Peace Policy. — Whilst in the other 
colonies it was usual for settlers on the frontier to carry 
their guns to the fields and places of worship, in Pennsyl- 
vania and New Jersey this was not done by the Friends, 
and they were not molested. Even the doors of their 
houses they kept unlocked, lest the Indians might think 




Fac-Simile of the Reputed Wampum-Belt of the Oreat Treaty. 

From the original in the possession of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. 

(The two figures and the cross-stripes are in purple heads.) 

they mistrusted them. Five years after the "great treaty," 
when a rumor spread that there was to be a rising of the 
Indians, some of the Friends at once rode to one of the 
native villages about twenty miles distant. The Indians 
assured them that there was no truth in the report, and 
that they harbored no enmity against the English. Peace 
reigned in the province during a period of sixty-five years, 
at the end of which time the power of the Friends in the 
government was lost. 

20. The Settling of this Colony was more rapid than was 
that of any of the others. Its free government and the 
absence of any kind of persecution, the fertility of the soil 
and the low price of the land, attracted many colonists. 
Yet Pen n cautioned his friends not to change their places 
of abode rashly, but to consider the glory of God and all 
their duty as of the first importance. Philadelphia (mean- 
ing " The City of Brotherly Love") was laid out by Penn 



80 History of the United States. [1683 

immediately after his arrival. Friends from Germany 
settled Germantown the following year, whilst many from 
Wales took up farms in the vicinity. Upward of twenty 
vessels arrived in a twelvemonth „ so that in the space of 
five years Philadelphia gained more than did New York 
in half a century. 

21. Boundary Dispute with Maryland. — The grant of 
Pennsylvania was such that it could not be made to com- 
prise three degrees of latitude without encroaching either 
upon the grant of New York on the north, or that of 
Maryland on the south. The north line was readily ad- 
justed ; but as to the Maryland boundary, Penn and Lord 
Baltimore did not come to an agreement. Many delays 
occurred before the matter was at last arranged. Finally, 
in 1763, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon were chosen 
to run the line, which was afterward so famous as the 
parallel of separation between the free and slave States. 
The work was not completed until 1767. 

22. Proprietary Government. — Penn divided the settled 
part of his province into counties, the people of which 
chose delegates to the Assembly and Council. The pro- 
prietor named his deputy, but made no change in the form 
of government without the consent of the Council and 
Assembly. When Penn returned to England in 1684, he 
chose five members of the Council as his deputies, but, 
disagreements ensuing, he reduced the number to one. 
The three Lower Counties then desiring a separate govern- 
ment, Penn permitted them to choose their own Legis- 
lature. In 1693, Pennsylvania was brought under the 
government of Fletcher, the royal governor of several of 
the colonies. After three years, however, the province was 
restored to Penn, and remained under the proprietary rule 
until the Revolution. 

23. The Walking Purchase grew out of a dispute between 



163S] Pennsylvania. Delaware. 81 

Perm's descendants and the Indians as to the right of the 
former to the territory at the Forks of the Delaware, — that 
is, between the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers. It was at 
last agreed, in 1737, that the matter should be settled ac- 
cording to the oldest deed to Penn. This stated that the 
grant included the land " one and a half days' journey 
northward, and thence by a line drawn to the Delaware." 
The proprietors, by procuring the fastest walkers in the 
province, made the distance much greater than the Indians 
believed was just. The whites thus gained the land at the 
Forks, but they embittered the Indians against them. The 
Friends took no part in this wrong, but raised money 
amongst themselves to compensate the Indians. 

24. The Moravians and Indians. — In 1740, a Moravian 
colony from Georgia settled on lands at the Forks be- 
longing to George Whitefield. The peaceful settlers of 
Bethlehem were soon on friendly terms with their Indian 
neighbors, the Minisinks. One of the brethren, named 
David Zeisberger, spent sixty years in gospel labors amongst 
the tribes, first at their villages on the Lehigh and in the 
Wyoming Valley, afterward in the western part of the 
State, on the Alleghany and Beaver Rivers. Still later, he 
lived with and instructed them at their settlements in east- 
ern Ohio. Here, in 1781, occurred the massacre of Gnaden- 
hiitten, when ninety of these Christian Indians — men, 
women, and children — were confined in two houses, and 
murdered by the militia of the frontier. 

DELAWARE. 

25. The Swedish Settlers. — Peter Minuits, who had been 
the first director of New Netherland, was sent by Queen 
Christina of Sweden, in 1638, to plant a colony on the 
Delaware. Fort Christina was built near where Wilming- 
ton afterward arose. Five years later, John Printz was 
deputed by the queen to be her governor of New Sweden. 

/ 



82 History of the United States. [1651 

Several forts were also built on the east side of the river 
and bay. [See map, page 53.] The colonists were en- 
joined by the queen to aid the Indians and to maintain 
a traffic with them; to be diligent in farming and in 
other industrious pursuits, and to observe the Lutheran 
religion. 

26. The Dutch Conquest.— When the Dutch West India 
Company, in 1629, began to grant lands to patroons, one 
of those grants was that of " Swansdale," on the west side 
of Delaware Bay, near Cape Henlopen. By virtue of 
Captain Mey's discoveries, the Dutch claimed this as their 
territory. A little fort was built here, the first settlement 
in Delaware, but the occupants were murdered by the In- 
dians in retaliation for the death of a chief. Nine years 
later came the Swedes, as stated above. In 1651, the 
Dutch built Fort Casimir on the site of New Castle, five 
miles below Fort Christina. In 1655, a strong force sent 
by Stuyvesant, governor of New Netherland, captured all 
the Swedish forts on the Delaware. 

27. The English Owners.— When the Duke of York, 
in 1664, became possessor of New Netherland, the Dutch 
settlements on the Delaware were also given up to him. 
The three counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex were 
formed on the west side of the bay, but were conveyed to 
Penn when he received the grant of Pennsylvania, in 1681. 
Lord Baltimore claimed the three counties as part of Mary- 
land, but the claim was not sustained. 

28. A Separate Legislature was allowed the Three Coun- 
ties in 1691, as they had become dissatisfied with their 
representation in the Assembly of Pennsylvania. When 
Fletcher, for a brief period, became royal governor of 
Pennsylvania, Delaware also came under his authority. 
After 1702, although Delaware existed as a separate prov- 
ince from Pennsylvania, it had the same governors, and 



1660] The Carolina*. 83 

was under the proprietors' control until the Revolution. 
Maryland was the only other of the thirteen colonies which 
continued until that period under proprietary government. 



CHAPTER XI. 

THE CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA. 

1. The Grant of Carolina. — In 1663, three years after 
the Restoration, Charles II. granted to eight English 
noblemen all the territory south of Virginia as far as the 
latitude of Port Royal. This territory was claimed by the 
Spaniards as a portion of their domain of Florida, and 
also by the French because Ribault had undertaken to 
plant a colony there. 

2. The Grand Model. — The constitution designed for 
Carolina was the most remarkable one framed for any of 
the colonies, and the least suited for the time and the 
people. It was the joint work of the Earl of Shaftesbury, 
one of the proprietors, and John Locke, the philosopher, 
and was derisively called the Grand Model. It provided 
for a division of the country into counties, each with its 
earls and barons and lords of the manor. There was also 
to be a grand council or parliament of fifty members, and 
a landgrave as ruler. The right of suffrage was confined 
to freeholders, being denied to the humbler ones who had 
to pay rent. 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

3. Clarendon Colony. — A colony from New England, in 
1660, settled near the mouth of Cape Fear River, on land 
purchased from the Indians. But the soil did not prove 
suitable for either grazing or agriculture, and hence the 



84 



History of the United States. 



[1662 



colony was soon abandoned. In 1665, emigrants from Bar- 
badoes settled near the same locality. One of the planters, 
Sir John Yeamans, was appointed governor by the proprie- 
tors, who gave the name of " Clarendon" to the territory ex- 
tending from Cape Fear to Port Royal. The settlers found 
employment for several years in making boards, shingles, 
and staves, which they shipped to Barbadoes. 

4. The Albemarle Settlements. — Very soon after the 
settlement of Jamestown, in Virginia, emigrants from that 

colony began to 
inhabit the coun- 
try between the 
James River and 
Albemarle Sound. 
But it was not 
until 1662, when 
Quakers, exiled 
from Virginia, be- 
gan to bend their 
steps thither, that 
much attention was 
given to the colony. 
Governor Berke- 
ley, of Virginia, 
appointed William 
Drummond chief 
magistrate, the col- 
onists choosing 




The Carolina Settlements. 

their own Assem- 
bly. The Albemarle settlements, however, were included 
in the second charter of Carolina, which was granted to 
the eight titled proprietors in 1665. 

5. The Albemarle Government. — Under an excellent 
governor, Stevens, with a popular Assembly, and a Council 



1712] North Carolina. 85 

chosen by both the proprietors and the people, the colonists 
were entirely contented. But, contrary to promise, the 
proprietors sought to change the form of government by 
bringing the colonists under the constitution. The Albe- 
marle settlers, peaceable though they were, strongly objected 
to the Grand Model. They also protested against the navi- 
gation acts, which obliged their traders to pay a duty not 
required of the British merchants and ship-owners. 

6. Seth Sothel, who had become one of the Carolina 
proprietors, was appointed governor of the Albemarle set- 
tlements in 1683. Not succeeding in enforcing the con- 
stitution and the navigation acts, he turned his attention to 
matters of private gain, by seeking to control the Indian 
traffic, by exacting unjust fees, and in other ways. At the 
end of five years he was banished by the colonists, and for 
a while was governor of South Carolina. 

7. Later Government. — After Sothel's administration and 
until 1729, when the proprietors sold their rights to the 
crown, both North and South Carolina were under the 
same governor. Of the excellent, though brief, rule of 
John Archdale special mention is made in the next section. 
From 1729 until the Revolution the two provinces were 
under separate governors appointed by the king. 

8. The Tuscaroras. — In 1712, some of the settlers of 
North Carolina became involved in a war with the Tusca- 
rora tribe, who dwelt on the Neuse River and its neighbor- 
hood. German and Swiss immigrants settled on their 
lands, and the aggression was resented by the Indians. 
The governors of Carolina and Virginia sent militia 
against them, the troops being aided by Indians of the 
Yemassee, Catawba, and other tribes. Many of the Tus- 
caroras were captured and reduced to slavery, and the rest 
fled northward and joined the confederacy of the Five 
Nations. 



86 History of the United States. [1670 



SOUTH CAROLINA. 

9. The Settlers at Charleston. — The first colony sent out 
by the Carolina proprietors was in 1670, and comprised 
three ship-loads of emigrants, under William Sayle, the 
governor. They entered the harbor into which empty the 
Ashley and Cooper Rivers, and upon the peninsula be- 
tween them, but back from the point, chose the site of their 
town. Ten years elapsed before they built upon the point 
itself, and named the place Charleston. 

10. The Form of Government, according to the Grand 
Model, did not suit the colonists, for they chose their own 
governor and Assembly. Yet, in a few years, the Charles- 
ton settlers began to send captive Indians as slaves to the 
West Indies, and also to connive with the freebooters who 
depredated upon the Spanish ports and commerce. Re- 
ceiving rum from Barbadoes in exchange for the captive 
Indians, the morals of the province suffered greatly in 
consequence. These and other acts displeased the proprie- 
tors, who, in 1686, sent James Colleton to try to arrange 
their differences with the colonists. The latter, however, 
refused to recognize the authority of the new governor, and 
finally banished him. 

11. Huguenot and other Settlers. — Emigrants from many 
quarters were attracted by the mild climate of South Caro- 
lina. There came Dissenters from England ; Scotch Presby- 
terians and Irish Catholics ; and Dutch Reformed from 
New York and Holland. A company of Scotch settled at 
Port Royal in 1684, but they were driven out by the 
Spaniards, who claimed the territory as belonging to St. 
Augustine. A large number of Huguenots, driven from 
France by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, arriving 
in the province, made their homes on the Cooper and San- 
tee Rivers. Although the new-comers were skilful and 



1700] South Carolina. 87 

industrious, the colonists opposed their enfranchisement, 
and for six years they were denied the right of suffrage. 

12. Archdale's Wise Administration. — One of the eight 
proprietors was John Archdale, a Quaker. Being appointed 
governor of the Carolinas in 1695, lie at once devised 
measures to pacify the people, quiet the spirit of turbulence, 
and reform abuses. He appointed a Council satisfactory to 
the settlers, desiring them to choose their own represen- 
tatives to the Assembly. That the Huguenots might be 
better treated, he sought to awaken public sympathy to- 
ward the refugees. Some Indian slaves who were about to 
be sold to the islands were set free. The natives afterward 
showed their gratitude for this act by kindly caring for a 
shipwrecked crew, who had expected to be murdered. 

13. Archdale, moreover, showed an open spirit toward 
the Spaniards, who for the first time expressed a wish 
to be on friendly terms with the English. No sympathy 
was now shown for freebooters. Finally, the Council and 
Assembly voted grateful thanks to the proprietors, — the 
first expression of such sentiments ever uttered in Carolina. 
Although Archdale was governor little more than a year, 
yet his brief administration was so marked by executive 
ability, allied to patience, firmness,- and openness toward all, 
that it merits the attention of every student of our history. 

14. The Wrong Policy Renewed. — Archdale having been 
asked to name his successor, his choice fell on Joseph Blake, 
who, during four years, governed the province with pru- 
dence and moderation. After that, the wrong policy was 
renewed: the Indians were captured to be sold as slaves; 
there was war with the Spaniards of St. Augustine; buc- 
caneering revived ; and there were disputes about the im- 
posing of taxes. The religion of the national church of 
England was also introduced, and, against the protests of 
the Dissenters, the country was divided into parishes, and 



88 History of the United States. [1729 

tithes were claimed as in Maryland and Virginia. In 
1729, the proprietors sold their rights to the crown, and 
South and North Carolina thence became royal provinces. 

15. Rice and Cotton. — The first rice introduced into 
South Carolina was in 1694, when the master of a vessel 
from Madagascar gave a little bag of the grain to a Charles- 
tonian. It was nearly a century later (1790) before the 
sea-island cotton, so superior to the common variety because 
of its long and silky fibre, was introduced. The first crop 
was raised on Hilton Head, near Beaufort. The seed had 
been brought six years earlier from the Bahamas to Georgia. 

16. Slavery. — In 1712, when South Carolina contained 
6000 whites and 10,000 negroes, its first slave law was en- 
acted. It declared that, as the province needed the labor 
of negro and other slaves, a people inferior to the whites, 
the good order and security of the province required that 
all negroes, mulattoes, and Indians who could not prove 
they were freemen, must be made slaves. Any found 
abroad without a pass were to be chastised, and if an owner 
neglected to punish a runaway slave he forfeited his claim 
to him. Crimes committed by slaves were to be punished 
with great severity, and even death in many cases ; but 
the owner of a slave would not incur a penalty even for 
whipping him to death, unless bloody-mindedness was 
proved. 

GEORGIA. 

17. The Georgia Grant. — The country between the Sa- 
vannah and Altamaha Rivers, extending westward to the 
Pacific, was granted by George II., in 1729, to twenty-one 
trustees. It was called Georgia, and was to be held in 
trust for the poor. This trust was continued until 1751, 
when Georgia became a royal province. 

18. James Oglethorpe, a member of the British Parlia- 
ment, who had greatly interested himself in the subject of 



1738] 



Georgia. 



89 



prisons and imprisonment for debt, was the person most 
interested in the grant. He desired to provide "a place of 
refuge for the distressed people of Britain and the perse- 
cuted Protestants of Europe." The free exercise of religion 
was granted to all but Papists. 

19. Settlements. — Savannah was founded in 1733 by 
Oglethorpe and his first company of emigrants of the debtor 
class. The next year came some Jews, also some High- 
landers, and a body of persecuted Lutherans from Salzburg, 
in Germany. Augusta, at the head of navigation on the 
Savannah River, was 
then established as a 
trading-post, an exten- 
sive traffic having been 
opened with the In- 
dians. Moravians, sent 
by Count Zinzendorf, 
settled on the Ogcechee 
River, and in 1737 and 
1738 came John and 
Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield the preacher. Near 
Savannah Whitefield founded an orphan asylum, and made 
an extensive tour through the provinces, preaching and 
collecting funds for the asylum's support. 

20. The Great Awakening, a religious revival which 
spread through the country at that time, began under the 
preaching of Jonathan Edwards, at Northampton, Massa- 
chusetts. At Stockbridge, in the western part of Massachu- 
setts, Edwards labored for several years with satisfactory 
results as a teacher and preacher among the Indians there- 
about. He was afterward president of Princeton College. 

21. Rum and Slave-holding were at first prohibited by 
the trustees, who were aware of the evil effects of both 
in Carolina. Yet, the debtor class who were being be- 

8* 




WhITEFIELD'S ORPHANAGE, NEAR SAVANNAH. 



90 History of the United States. [1739 

friended, clamored the most for the free use of rum and 
the enforced labor of the negro. With slavery in active 
operation in Carolina and Florida, it was not long excluded 
from Georgia. 

22. War with the Spaniards. — In 1739, war was de- 
clared by England against Spain. Oglethorpe, in the 
mean time, desirous of marking the southern boundary of 
the English dominion, caused forts to be built near the 
mouths of the Altamaha, St. Mary's, and St. John's Rivers. 
[See map, page 91.] To defend these forts against the 
Spaniards, the settlers, as well as the Indians, were called 
into service. The Spanish fleet returned to Cuba without 
capturing the forts. At the same time the English fleet, 
although aided by militia from the colonies, was baffled 
in its attempt to conquer the Spanish West Indies. 

23. The Moravians, who had come to Georgia to make 
Christians of the Indians, and not to teach them the art of 
war, finding that their work was broken up, left the colony 
in 1740. They settled at the Forks of the Delaware, on 
lands belonging to Whitefield, as mentioned in the account 
of Pennsylvania. 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE WARS BETWEEN THE ENGLISH AND FRENCH 
COLONIES IN AMERICA. 

GROWTH OF FRENCH POWER. 

1. The French in Canada. — The explorer Champlain, 
upon his second visit to Canada, founded Quebec, in 1608. 
He aided the Ottawas in their expeditions against the 
Iroquois, who for the first time discovered the deadliness 
of the white man's weapons. In 1615, the first body of 




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92 History of the United States. [1049 

Recollect priests from France came to Canada, but in a^ 
few years, through the influence of Cardinal Richelieu, 
they were supplanted by the Jesuits. Their headquarters 
were at Montreal, whence missions were established by 
them among the Hurons and other Canadian tribes. 

2. Iroquois Wars. — In revenge for their defeats by 
Champlain, the Iroquois or Five Nations in 1649 and the 
following year invaded the country of the Hurons. They 
utterly defeated and dispersed that nation, and the missions 
among them were broken up. More than thirty years 
later there was a general war between the French and their 
Indian allies on one side, and the English and Iroquois on 
the other. The French first invaded the Seneca country 
east of Niagara, whilst the Iroquois in return again entered 
Canada, and spread terror far up and down the St. Law- 
rence. The Iroquois also greatly interfered with the fur 
trade of the French traders. 

3. Explorations in the West. — The Mississippi, which 
had been discovered by De Soto, the Spaniard, in 1541, 
was re-discovered by a French priest, Marquette, in 1673. 
With a companion, Joliet, he explored the middle course 
of the river many leagues, as far south as the mouth of the 
Arkansas. Another priest, Hennepin, in 1679, explored 
the Great Lakes and the Upper Mississippi as far as the 
Falls of St. Anthony. La Salle, an adventurer, about the 
same time, descended the great river to the Gulf, giving to 
the country on both sides of the Mississippi the name of 
LouisrANA, in honor of the French king. Thus France 
laid claim by virtue of discovery to all the region of the 
Great West. In 1684, La Salle, with several hundred 
men, endeavored to plant a colony near the mouth of the 
Mississippi, but he and most of his men perished. 

4. The French Possessions. — At the latter part of the 
seventeenth century, New France comprised all the region 



1702] First and Second Intercolonial Wars. 93 

of the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, and the Valley 
of the Mississippi. The French traders had opened an 
extensive traffic with the Indians, and many mission- 
stations were established among them. The government 
of France, however, began to fear lest the English, who 
claimed a part of the territory they occupied, would wrest 
it from them. Wars which broke out in Europe between 
France and England, were followed by similar struggles 
between their colonies in America. There were four such 
intercolonial wars between the years 1689 and 1763. 

FIRST INTERCOLONIAL 'WAR. 

5. The first intercolonial war, in the reign of William 
and Mary, continued from 1689 to 1697. War-parties of 
French and Indians, sent by Count Frontenac, governor- 
general of Canada, attacked the English settlements on 
the Mohawk and Piscataqua. At Schenectady and Salmon 
Falls many of the English were massacred. A large fleet, 
under the command of Sir William Phipps, ascended the 
St. Lawrence, hoping to capture Quebec and Montreal, 
but the enterprise failed. A land force of the colonial 
troops met with no better success. Fresh incursions of the 
Indians into New England followed. Maine especially 
suffered, as all its towns were attacked and many of them 
abandoned. This war, called " King William's War," ter- 
minated with the peace of Byswick in 1697. The French 
and English agreed to retain their territories as they were 
before war was declared. 

SECOND INTERCOLONIAL WAR. 

6. The second war between the colonies, in the reign of 
Queen Anne, began in 1702, after England, with Holland 
and Germany, had declared war against France and Spain. 
At that time French colonists, under DTberville, had built 
a fort at Biloxi, on the Gulf of Mexico, and had like- 



94 History of the United States. [1702 

wise located farther eastward at Mobile. The Red River 
and other streams of Louisiana they also explored. Another 
French party founded Detroit in 1701. 

7. The war in America again began with incursions of 
the Canada Indians, who surprised and massacred the 
settlers of Deerfield, and, afterward, of Haverhill. The 
English colonies sent an expedition against Acadia, and 
Port Royal was captured. Later, in 1711, a large fleet 
from England ascended the St. Lawrence, but many of the 
vessels were lost in a storm, and the remainder went back 
to England. The peace of UtrecJd, in 1713, put an end to 
this second contest, known as " Queen Anne's War." Nova 
Scotia and adjoining territory were ceded to the English, 
but the war had proved very disastrous to the colonies. 
Several thousand young men had been slain or died of 
disease, many fields remained untilled, and the growth of 
the colonies was greatly checked. 

THE THIRTY YEARS' INTERIM. 

8. Colonization in Louisiana. — The French Mississippi 
Company, or Company of the Indies, having obtained the 
exclusive right to trade in Louisiana, built Fort Rosalie, 
near Natchez, and a trading-post on the Alabama, near 
where Montgomery now stands. John Law, who estab- 
lished a " Royal Bank" in Paris, was the chief promoter 
of the scheme. In 1718, New Orleans was founded by 
Bienville, and became the seat of government. Two years 
later Law's "Mississippi Bubble" burst. Nevertheless, 
Louisiana's population had increased to several thousand, 
and, with the aid of negroes from Africa, rice, tobacco, and 
indigo were cultivated, and afterward the country's great 
staple, sugar. 

9. The Natchez and Chickasaws. — The French com- 
mandant at Fort Rosalie demanded of the Natchez tribe, 



1725] The Thirty Years' Interim. 95 

in 1729, the tract of land on which were the huts of their 
principal village. Angered at such a proposal, the Natchez 
listened to the counsel of their neighbors, the Chickasaws, 
and murdered the French settlers. The French retaliated 
by killing many of the Natchez tribe, and selling the rest 
as slaves to San Domingo. Other French expeditions, in 
which the Choctaws joined, invaded the Chickasaw country, 
but were unsuccessful in defeating that tribe. At the end 
of ten years a peace was agreed to. 

10. War with the Norridgewocks of Maine broke out in 
1722, the English settlers having continued their encroach- 
ments upon the Indian lands. Massachusetts applying to 
Connecticut for aid, that colony at first refused, having 
scruples as to the justice of the war, but jealousy of the 
French influence with the Indians overcame their objections. 
The Mohawks were more firm in their refusal to be allies 
of the whites, telling them to give back the lands and 
prisoners of the Norridgewocks if they wanted peace. In 
one of the expeditions against the tribe, an aged French 
priest and thirty of his Indian disciples were slain, a high 
price being put upon Indian scalps. The war continued 
with great savagery on each side for three years. 

11. Commercial Distress. — The colonies being constantly 
in debt to England for the goods they imported, specie to 
pay for these was always in demand. There were then no 
surplus crops of grain and cotton to do it with. The cost 
of wars with the French and Indians had drained nearly all 
the specie from the country. To help pay these expenses 
and promote trade, a bank was started in South Carolina 
in 1712; but great trouble ensued between the merchants 
and planters by reason of the depreciation of the bills. 

12. Banks were created, within a few years, in all the 
colonies except Virginia, and with the same results in 
most of them as in Carolina. But, in Pennsylvania, the 



96 



History of the United States. 



[1743 



money was loaned upon such security as real estate or silver 
plate, and with better results. Nevertheless, the effect of 
the system was to drive the remaining specie out of the 
country, and also to stimulate the methods of credit. 

THIRD INTERCOLONIAL "WAR. 

13. The war in Europe for the Austrian succession, 
which began in 1740, did not extend to the English and 
French provinces until 1743. The New England and 




Canadian River Scene— the Saouenay. 

other colonies then made preparations to attempt the capture 
of the strong fortress of Louisburg, which had been built 
by the French on Cape Breton Island. The English of 
Nova Scotia had found that it interfered Math their com- 
merce and fisheries. The colonial fleet, under Sir William 
Pepperell, being joined by another from England, Louis- 
burg fell into their hands in the summer of 1745. 

14. Next, France sent a large squadron to the defence of 



1754] Fourth Liter colonial War. 97 

Canada, but the ships were captured by an English fleet 
under Admiral Anson. The Six Nations were allies of 
the English, being directed by a shrewd agent and trader, 
William Johnson. In Pennsylvania, the wishes of the 
Friends that the colony should not engage in war were 
overruled, and the long-established peace- policy of that 
province was at last given up. The peace of Aix-la-Cha- 
pelle ended " King George's war," in Europe and America. 
Louisburg, as one of the conditions of the peace, was given 
back to the French. 

FOURTH INTERCOLONIAL WAR. 

15. The fourth and final struggle was the only one which 
did not grow out of a Avar first begun between the English 
and the French in Europe. It arose directly out of the 
conflicting claims of the rival nations to the control of the 
Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley, and the Mississippi, along 
which the French had already sixty posts. Halifax, on 
the Nova Scotia coast, was built by the English in 1749 as 
a check to Louisburg. The English colonists numbered 
about 1,500,000; the French, scarcely 100,000. 

16. The Ohio Company was the name of an English cor- 
poration which obtained a grant of many thousand acres 
of land near the Ohio River, together with the sole privi- 
lege of the Indian traffic. To oppose this scheme, the 
French built a post at Presque Isle, on Lake Erie. Gov- 
ernor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, in 1754, thereupon caused 
a fort to be built where the Alleghany and Monongahela 
Rivers join to form the Ohio. This post was taken by the 
French and called by them Fort Du Quesne. The young 
George Washington, then a surveyor, of Westmoreland 
County, Virginia, was sent by Dinwiddie on a mission to 
the French; but, on his return, he and his company were 
captured. It was thus the war began. 

'J 9 



98 History of the United States. [1754 

17. Braddock's Defeat. — At an important council held at 
Albany in 1754, the Six Nations and their allies agreed to 
aid the English. A plan devised by Benjamin Franklin, 
of Pennsylvania, for a federal union of the English colo- 
nies under a president-general, subject to Great Britain, was 
rejected. General Braddock was sent from England the 
next year to take the chief command, but he and many of 
his men were slaughtered in an ambuscade of the French 
and Indians near Fort Du Quesne. The Shawnee and 
Delaware tribes took the side of the French, and with 
torch and tomahawk ravaged the Pennsylvania frontier. 

18. The French Neutrals. — The larger part of the people 
of Acadia or Nova Scotia were French, and did not take 
part in the war. The English admirals, however, to get 
rid of the trouble and expense of keeping garrisons among 
them, formed a plan to get them together and force them 
on board the ships. The scheme was entirely successful. 
Thousands of the poor Acadians were driven from their 
homes and scattered among the English colonists as far 
south as Georgia. That the deed might be complete and 
the Acadians so disheartened that they should not care to 
return, their crops were destroyed, and their houses and 
barns burnt. 

19. The French Invasion. — To the Earl of Loudoun was 
given in 1756 the command of the English forces in 
America. The French commander, the Marquis of Mont- 
calm, crossed Lake Ontario with a force of Canadians and 
Indians, and captured and destroyed the English forts at 
( )swego. The next year, with the aid of the garrisons of 
the French forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, on Lake 
Champlain, Montcalm captured Fort William Henry at 
the head of Lake George. His Indian allies, maddened 
with liquor, massacred a large number of the English after 
they had surrendered. 



1763] Fourth Intercolonial War. 99 

20. Conquest of Canada. — In 1758, General Abercrombie 
having succeeded Loudoun in the chief command, 30,000 
troops were sent from England to the relief of the colonies. 
Abercrombie was unsuccessful in capturing^ Fort Ticon- 
dcroga, but Louisburg was taken by an expedition under 
Amherst and Wolfe. A third force took possession of Fort 
Du Quesne, from which the French had withdrawn. In 
honor of the English Minister of State, the place was then 
called Fort Pitt, or Pittsburg. 

21. Amherst succeeded to Abercrombie's place next year, 
and sent Wolfe against Quebec, where Montcalm, who had 
retreated from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, was in com- 
mand. Wolfe was aided by a fleet which had been sent 
from England. In the terrible battle which ensued, Mont- 
calm and Wolfe were both killed, but Quebec fell into the 
hands of the English. The French forts at Niagara, Mon- 
treal, and other places were also taken, and Canada became, 
in 1760, a province of Great Britain. 

22. Peace of Paris. — By the peace of Paris, in 1763, 
this last contest, called the "French and Indian War," was 
declared at an end. All the northern possessions of the 
French, as well as those east of the Mississippi, were con- 
firmed as belonging to the English. Louisiana, west of 
the Mississippi, was given by France to Spain in payment 
for the aid afforded, — Spain being also the owner of Florida. 

23. Conspiracy of Pontiac. — The Indians of the Ohio 
region, who had been allies of the French, found that the 
English were now determined to occupy their hunting- 
grounds. Incited by Pontiac, an Ottawa chief, these tribes 
and the Senecas entered into a conspiracy against the Eng- 
lish. In the summer of 1763, the settlements all along 
the: western frontier wore attacked. Many of the settlers 
were scalped, their buildings were burnt, and part of the 
military posts were captured. General Gage, Amherst's 



100 History of the United States. [1713 

successor, sent two expeditions against {hem. One of these 
invaded the Ohio region, whilst the other went to the re- 
lief of Detroit, which had been several weeks besieged by 
Pontiac, The Indians were obliged to sue for peace. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

COLONIAL DISCONTENT. 

1. Slave-Trade. — The Contract with Spain. — Under the 
treaty of Utrecht (1713), the English South Sea Company 
was given the exclusive privilege of introducing slaves 
into the Spanish West Indies. This English company 
agreed to pay the king of Spain $33J a head for the 
unholy privilege, and, within thirty years, to introduce 
144,000 negroes into the Spanish colonies. 

2. The African Company. — At the same time that the 
English traders were supplying the Spanish colonies with 
slaves, another organization, the " African Company," aided 
by English legislation, was bringing them to England's 
own colonies. Several of the latter complained of this 
action, but the British government was not willing to give 
up so profitable a traffic. 

3. Distribution of the Slaves. — Slavery existed to a greater 
or less extent in all the colonies, but chiefly in those of the 
South, where the soil, climate, and plantation system all 
favored the employment of the African. In Virginia and 
Carolina, the slaves exceeded in number the white popula- 
tion. In 1750, there were aboul 1000 slaves in Boston. In 
Newport, Rhode Island, which was then a lively shipping 
port, the proportion of the whites to the slaves was still 
greater. New England rum was exchanged on the African 



1770] Colonial Discontent. 101 



coast for negroes to be sold ia the colonics, and the ships 
of Newport, Boston, and New York were all engaged in 
the traffic. 

4. Protests against Slavery. — The first protest of a relig- 
ious body against negro slavery was drawn up in 1688 by 
Francis Daniel Pastorius, a German Quaker of German- 
town, near Philadelphia. It was adopted by the meeting 
at that place. In 1758, John Woolman, a Friend of 
Philadelphia, brought the subject of holding slaves to the 
attention of his fellow-members. He also visited Newport, 
to plead with those of his brethren who were there en- 
gaged in the traffic. In the space of about twenty years, 
the practice of either holding or dealing in slaves was 
peacefully abolished by the Friends in the North, and, a 
little later, by those of Virginia. 

5. Dr. Samuel Hopkins, a Congregational ist pastor of 
Newport, called the attention of his religious society to the 
matter in 1770. Before the end of the century it was de- 
cided by that body that the holding of slaves would not be 
permitted among them. 

6. Redemptioners. — In the middle colonies, especially in 
New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, many white ser- 
vants were imported from England. They were known 
as Redemptioners. Their term of service was limited by 
law, but they were generally kept in a low state of igno- 
rance and poverty. The name "soul-drivers" was given 
to those who made it a business to purchase the redemp- 
tioners in lots from captains of ships, and to drive them 
about the country like cattle. They were disposed of to 
the farmers, with whom they worked out the passage- 
money. Grown persons were sold for a term of 3 to 6 
years, and children for a term of 10 to 15 years. 

7. Regulators. — In New Jersey, Maryland, and the 
Carolinas, there were many complaints against lawyers and 

9* 



102 History of the United States. [1771 

sheriffs for the exaction of unjust fees and on other ac- 
counts. The trouble became greatest in the central parts 
of North Carolina, where the people, who called themselves 
Regulators, not only refused to pay taxes, but violently as- 
saulted the officers of the law. Governor Tryon marched 
against them, and in a battle at Alamance, on Cape Fear 
River (1771), about 200 of the regulators were killed. So 
bitter a feeling ensued that it was found necessary to send 
a milder governor to take Tryon's place. It was at the 
time of these troubles that Tennessee and Kentucky began 
to be settled, as told in a later chapter. 

8. English Colonial Policy. — Until the time of William 
and Mary, either the king's privy council, or commissioners 
appointed by that body, had charge of the affairs of the 
colonies; but in the year 1696, the colonial administration 
was given into the hands of Parliament. A series of 
measures was then adopted, intended to cripple the indus- 
tries of the colonies, and make the people more and more 
dependent upon the mother-country. 

9. The Navigation and Trade Acts were the cause of 
general complaint in the colonies. The first navigation act 
which went into force was at the time of the Restoration 
(1660). It was then ordered that no goods should be im- 
ported into the colonies except in English vessels, navigated 
by Englishmen. Such American staples as sugar, cotton, 
and tobacco, could be exported to English ports only. 
Hence the colonies were obliged to pay heavy prices for 
English and all other European goods, that the British 
merchants might first reap a profit. At later dates, the 
attempts by the colonies to manufacture iron and steel 
goods were prohibited, as was also the making of hats. It 
"was forbidden to send woollen goods out of the colonies, or 
from one colony to another, as such action would hurt 
England's monopoly of the traffic. 



1767] Colonial Discontent. 103 

10. The Stamp Act, passed by Parliament in 17G5, was 
intended to raise a revenue in the colonies to defray the ex- 
penses of the French and Indian wars. It imposed a tax 
on bills, bonds, and other legal documents, as had long 
been the usage in England itself. Iron and lumber were 
at the same time prohibited from being exported to any 
country but England. 

11. Action by the Colonies. — The news of the proposed 
measure was received with great clamor in the colonies. 
Petitions were forwarded to Parliament declaring that no 
person ought to be taxed without being represented in the 
assembly which imposed the tax; but the protests of the 
colonists were unavailing. 

12. The Virginia Assembly were in session when infor- 
mation was received that the act had been passed. Strong 
resolutions were adopted by them in opposition to it, and the 
same was done by the Assembly of Massachusetts. Nine 
of the colonies sent delegates to a general Congress held at 
New York, by whom a declaration of rights and grievances 
was issued. In some of the cities riots occurred, and the 
crown officers were assaulted. The Stamp Act was repealed 
after it had been a year in force. 

13. Import Duties. — Parliament, not being willing to give 
up its asserted right "to bind the colonies in all cases what- 
soever," next passed a bill, in 1767, imposing a duty on 
tea, paint, paper, glass, etc. This tax was to pay for the 
support of the king's military. Many of the colonists re- 
fusing to make use of the foreign goods, the duty obtained 
did not nearly defray the expense of its collection and the 
military's support. 

14. Quartering the Troops. — By reason of the losses which 
the crown officers had suffered in the Stamp Act riots, two 
regiments of troops were sent by the British government 
to Boston and quartered in the town. The hostile feel- 



104 History of the United States. [1173 

ing against the military was kept alive by a weekly paper 
published in the place. After several brawls had occurred 
between the troops and the mobs of men and boys, a severe 
fight took place, in which several of the inhabitants were 
killed. The " Boston Massacre," as it was called, pro- 
duced great excitement throughout the colonies, the people 
now dividing into two parties, — the Tories, who favored 
the mother-country, and the Whigs, who opposed taxation 
by Parliament. 

15. Tax on Tea. — The loss to the British merchants 
through the disuse of their goods in the colonies finally 
resulted in the repeal of the duties on all of them, except 
that of three pence per pound on tea. Now, the Americans 
did not object to the amount of the tax, but to the principle 
of " taxation without representation," and that it was which 
mainly gave rise to the war. 

16. In 1773, cargoes of tea were sent from England to 
several of the colonial ports, to try how they would be re- 
ceived. In New York and Philadelphia the cargoes found 
no purchasers, and the vessels returned to England. At 
Charleston, the tea was landed, but became worthless by 
being stored in a damp warehouse. At Boston, a party of 
young men disguised as Indians went on board the vessels 
and emptied the tea into the harbor. 

17. Boston Port Bill. — The numerous riotous proceedings 
in Boston so incensed the British government against the 
city that an act was passed forbidding all intercourse by 
water with the place. This act was called the Boston Port 
Bill. General Gage, the king's commander, landed ad- 
ditional troops and supplies there in the spring of 1774. 
The provincial leaders in Massachusetts then met together 
and drew up a "Solemn League and Covenant" not to 
have intercourse with Great Britain until their rights 
were restored. The militia were also called out. 



1774] Colonial Discontent. 105 

18. Continental Congress. — In the Ninth month (Septem- 
ber), 1774, delegates from eleven of the colonies met at 
Philadelphia, and formed an assenibly, which they called 
the Continental Congress. It was composed of 55 mem- 
bers, who appointed Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, their 
president. This assembly drew up a declaration of rights ; 
agreed to continue non-intercourse with England; and 
issued addresses to the king (George III.), to the people 
of England, and to the people of the colonies. 

19. Franklin in England. — In 1764, Benjamin Franklin 
went to England as the agent of Pennsylvania, and, shortly 
afterward, filled the same position for the other colonies. 
His statements before the House of Commons were of 
service in procuring the repeal of the Stamp Act. By 
addresses published in the papers of London, he tried to 
change the tone of feeling toward America, explaining 
the burdens to which the trade and manufactures of this 
country were subjected. 

20. When intelligence reached England of the assem- 
bling of the Continental Congress, Franklin still continued 
his efforts to induce the government to change its measures. 
William Pitt (Lord Chatham) and Edmund Burke were 
among those in Parliament who favored his efforts. A 
plan for a reconciliation was finally submitted to Parlia- 
ment, but rejected ; and Franklin, departing from Eng- 
land early in 1775, found, when he arrived in America, 
that war had already begun. 



106 History of the United States. 



Contemporary European Chronology. 

1618-1618. The 30 years' war in Germany — a period of havoc. 

1649. Charles I. of England beheaded — the " Commonwealth." Cromwell. 

1660. Charles II. on the throne — the " Restoration." Milton. Grotius. 

1665. Great plague of London. 1666. The great fire of London. 

1685. Edict of Nantes revoked; Protestants expelled from France. 

1685-1688. The English " Revolution," and abdication of James II. 

16S9. William III., of Orange, and Mary. British Constitution confirmed. 

1702. Anne, queen of England. Newton. Locke. Fenelon. 

1704. George I. (first of the Hanover line). 1715-1774. Louis XV. of France. 

1727. George II. AVhitefield. Wesleys. Newton. 

1740. Frederick II., surnamed the Great, ascends the throne of Prussia. 

1760. George III. Reigns 51 years. Johnson. Cowper. 



1610. The thermometer invented by Sanctorius, Drebbel, and Galileo. 

1619. The circulation of the blood announced by Harvey. 

1630. The first gazette or newspaper at Venice; in England, in 1665. 

1641. Coffee introduced into England; tea, in 166G. 

1643. The barometer invented by Torricelli and Pascal. 

16S7. The Newtonian philosophy announced in England. 

1721. Inoculation introduced into England from Turkey. 

1752. New style of the calendar introduced. 

1769. The spinning-jenny invented by Arkwright. 



*#* Before taking leave of the colonial period, the teacher is recommended 
to read to the class some account of the manners, customs, etc., of that time, 
such as may be found in Higginson's Young Folks' History of the United 

States. 

"*■;;;.* Instructors of youth may, obviously, do much to encourage those under 
their care in the selection of really good and instructive books and the re- 
jection of the merely trivial and harmful. As a present aid thereto, and to 
promote a farther acquaintance with the events and topics treated in this 
history, a " Course of Reading" will be found in the latter pait of the book. 



PERIOD IV. 

REVOLUTION, AND FORMATION OF A REPUBLICAN 
GOVERNMENT. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 
EVENTS OP 1775. 

1. Battle of Lexington. — A quantity of ammunition and 
other supplies for the provincial militia having been de- 
posited at Concord, twenty miles west of Boston, General 
Gage sent a body of troops to seize or destroy them. 
Arriving at Lexington early in the morning of Fourth 
month (April) 19th, the British troops found a company of 
"minute-men" assembled to dispute their progress. The 
militia not obeying the orders of the British officer to dis- 
perse, the command was given to fire upon them. Eight 
of the Americans were killed and several wounded. The 
troops went on to Concord and destroyed the military 
stores there. On their return toward Boston they were 
severely harassed by the Americans, who fired at them from 
behind barns, trees, and stone walls. 

2. Bunker's Hill. — The news of the battle of Lexington 
spread rapidly among the provincials, who quickly mus- 
tered an army of 20,000 men, and closely besieged the 
British on the Boston peninsula. Reinforcements under 
Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne came by sea to 
the relief of the British. Meanwhile, the Americans, to 

107 



108 



History of the United States. 



[1775 



° Concord, 



tLexingto, 




oJfe<[/brcl J%^ 

£-~* TsaJuzrot 

(kjCwi rtastow/i 
Boston, 



strengthen their position, erected a breastwork on Bunker's 
Hill. After a severe struggle and loss of life on both 
sides, the breastwork was captured by the British, but the 
colonial militia escaped along Charlestown Neck. 

3. Ticonderoga and Crown Point, the two strong fortresses 

on Lake Cham- 
plain, were taken 
from the royalists 
by a small body 
of militia u n d e r 
Ethan Allen and 
Seth Warner. A 
large number of 
cannon was se- 
cured by the pro- 
vincials. 

4. The Conti- 
nental Congress as- 
sembled the second 
time at Philadel- 
phia, and adopted 
the title of the " United Colonies." General Washington, 
a delegate from Virginia, was made commander-in-chief 
of the army, and eight generals were also appointed. To 
provide for the expenses of the war, bills of credit to the 
amount of two million dollars were ordered. 

5. The Royal Governors Superseded. — In Virginia, Lord 
Dnnmore, the royal governor, after a lengthened dispute 
with the people, sought refuge on board a man-of-war. 
Several times he landed upon the Virginia coast, seeking 
to regain possession of the province. Finally, having de- 
stroyed Norfolk by fire, Dunmore sailed to the West Indies. 
By the end of the year all the old governments in the colo- 
nies were dissolved, and provincial Assemblies organized. 




Wueue the Wak Began. 



1770] The Revolution. 109 

6. Expeditions against Canada. — As the Americans 
feared an attack from Canada, two expeditions were sent 
by Congress into that country. One of these, under Gen- 
erals Schuyler and Montgomery, proceeded by way of Lake 
Cliamplain, and took possession of Montreal. The other, 
under General Arnold, followed the course of the Ken- 
nebec, but was delayed on its toilsome march through the 
tangled forests. Both armies combined in an attack upon 
Quebec, bnt were repelled. The Americans evacuated 
Canada in the following spring. 

7. Action by England. — Before the end of 1775, an act 
was passed by the English Parliament forbidding all trade 
with the colonies, and authorizing the capture of American 
trading-vessels on the high seas. Richard Penn and Henry 
Lee, who brought a petition from Congress to the king, 
were refused a hearing, upon the ground that the Congress 
was an unlawful assembly. Agreements were then entered 
into with the governments of Hesse-Cassel and Brunswick, 
that they should furnish, for pay, 16,000 troops to aid the 
British. These German mercenaries were known throusrh- 
out the war as Hessians. 

EVENTS OP 1776. 

8. Evacuation of Boston. — Washington, upon being ap- 
pointed by Congress commander-in-chief, joined the pro- 
vincial army which was besieging Boston. Many of the 
militia, whose terms of enlistment had expired, left the 
service; the supplies were also low. Washington having 
ordered a redoubt to be constructed on Dorchester Heights, 
which menaced the city, the British were obliged to leave 
the place. Their fleet sailed for Halifax, whilst Washing- 
ton and the provincials entered the city. 

9. Siege of Charleston. — To regain possession of the 
southern colonies, a British fleet, under Sir Peter Parker, 
appeared early in the summer before Charleston. At the 

10 



110 History of the United States. [1776 

entrance of the port was a fortification of sand and palmetto 
logs, defended by Colonel Moultrie. This so effectually 
resisted the fire of the British vessels that the commander 
drew off his fleet and sailed toward New York. But 
Washington had already established his headquarters in 
that city, and ordered the construction of works of de- 
fence. 

10. Declaration of Independence. — What led to it. — It 
was not at first the settled purpose of the colonists to assert 
their independence of Great Britain, but to force the un- 
just measures against them to be repealed. When, how- 
ever, their petition to Parliament was refused a hearing, 
and Hessians were hired to make war upon them, the desire 
to set up a government separate from that of the mother- 
country, became apparent. The several colonial Assemblies 
one by one began to declare for independence. 

11. Tlte Declaration Framed. — The general Congress 
being again in session in Philadelphia, the following 
motion was made by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, 
and agreed to : " That these United Colonies are and of 
right ought to be free and independent States, that they are 
absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that 
all political connection between them and the state of Great 
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." A committee 
consisting of five delegates — Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, 
Sherman, and Livingston — was meanwhile appointed to 
prepare a Declaration of Independence. The document 
was drawn up with great care, principally by the hand of 
Jefferson, and, having been fully discussed, was signed the 
fourth day of the Seventh month (July), 1776. [The text 
will be found in full at the end of the book.] 

12. Articles of Confederation were prepared by another 
committee of Congress, but not adopted until the following 
year. They conferred upon the nation the name of the 



1776] 



The Revolution. 



Ill 



" United States of America," and were duly ratified by the 
governments of all the thirteen States. 

13. Operations about New York. — By obtaining control 
of the forts on the Hudson and on Lake Champlain, the 
British hoped to cut off New England from the South. 
With this end in view, 




a force of 30,000 Brit- 
ish and Hessians was 
concentrated on Staten 
Island. Lord Howe, 
the commander, issued 
a proclamation offering 
pardon to those provin- 
cials who would return 
to their allegiance, but it 
was not accepted. Howe 
then attacked and de- 
feated the American 
army of Generals Put- 
nam and Sullivan on 
Long Island. Wash- 
ington thereupon evacuated New York, and withdrew to 
the upper end of Manhattan Island. 

14. Retreat of Washington. — Washington retired with 
his army a short distance, to White Plains, hoping to hold 
possession of an important road. He was defeated. Nearly 
at the same time, Forts Washington and Lee, on opposite 
sides of the Hudson, which had been placed in command 
of General Greene, were captured by the British. Wash- 
ington with the remnant of his army then retired through 
New Jersey to Trenton, and escaped across the Delaware 
to the Pennsylvania shore as the army under Corn wal lis 
came in sight. 

15. Battles of Trenton and Princeton. — At Trenton and 



Rear of Independence Hall, 1776. 



112 History of the United States. [1777 

Princeton detachments of the British army were stationed, 
whilst Howe withdrew for the winter to New York. As 
the enlistments of many of the Americans would expire at 
the end of the year, Washington crossed the Delaware in 
boats, and, surprising the Hessians at Trenton, made many 
of them prisoners. Continuing on to Princeton, another 
battle was fought, more prisoners were taken by the militia, 
and the remainder of the British force was put to flight. 
Washington retired northward to Morristown, where his 
army went into winter-quarters. 

16. Commissioners sent to France. — After the American 
defeat on Long Island, Lord Howe made further proposals 
of amity, but, as the Americans would treat only on equal 
terms as an independent power, the effort to make peace 
again failed. Later in the year, Benjamin Franklin, Silas 
Deane, and Arthur Lee were commissioned by Congress to 
proceed to France, to solicit aid and the recognition of 
American independence by that power. 

EVENTS OP 1777. 

17. Burgoyne's Campaign. — Ticonderoga and Benning- 
ton. — To occupy the line of the Hudson, as already planned 
by the British, General Burgoyne advanced from Canada, 
being joined by his Indian allies, the Iroquois. Proceed- 
ing up Lake Champlain, Ticonderoga fell into the hands 
of the invaders. Burgoyne having arrived at Fort Edward, 
on the Upper Hudson, and being in need of provisions, 
sent a body of Hessians toward Bennington, in the Ver- 
mont territory, where a large quantity of supplies were 
stored. But the American militia, under General Stark, 
repulsed them. 

18. Stillwater and Saratoga. — Leaving Fort Edward, 
Burgoyne came into conflict with the American army under 
General Gates, which was stationed at Stillwater. The 



1778] The Revolution. 113 

battle was indecisive, but, a few weeks later, a second and 
more general engagement took place at Saratoga. Bur- 
goyne's army, being in need of provisions, and worn out 
with fatigue, surrendered. The battle of Saratoga may be 
considered the decisive engagement of the Revolution. Sir 
Henry Clinton, the British commander at New York, had 
captured Forts Clinton and Montgomery, on the Hudson 
below West Point, but on hearing of Burgoyne's deleat he 
left the forts and retired to New York. 

19. Advance on Philadelphia. — While these events were 
occurring on the Hudson, a second British army, under 
General Howe and Admiral Howe, sailed from New York 
to the Chesapeake, and landed at Elk River, at the head 
of the bay. To stay their advance on Philadelphia, which 
was the object of the movement, Washington posted his 
army at Chadd's Ford, on the Brandywine. The British, 
however, after a bloody encounter, forced a passage and 
proceeded on to Philadelphia. A young French officer, 
the Marquis de Lafayette, and a Polish officer, Count 
Pulaski, both in the American service, were present in 
this battle, Lafayette being wounded. 

20. Battle of Germantown. — When Howe had been two 
weeks in possession of Philadelphia, Washington attacked 
the principal part of the British army, which was stationed 
near the city, at Germantown. A fog coming on at the 
time, the British recovered from the disorder into which 
they had been thrown by the onset of the militia, and de- 
feated and drove them from the field. The Americans 
then retired into winter-quarters at Valley Forge, on the 
Schuylkill, where they suffered greatly from cold, naked- 
ness, and disease, as well as from poor and insufficient 
food. 

EVENTS OF 1778. 

21. Army Disaffection. — The bills of credit ordered by 
Congress had depreciated to one-fourth of their nominal 

h 10* 



114 



History of the United States. 



11778 



value, and murmurs of discontent were rife throughout the 
country. The notes of the different States were at a simi- 
lar low ebb. Much disaffection prevailed in the army, and 
many officers gave in their resignations. There was also 
an intrigue to place General Gates in chief command of the 

f cs. (Ten §MIiings 3 L.M.) io& 



r:: 



^m^^mi^r< ^t^t^^ ^^^^B 







ivis/,1 775 



M*y,i77$' 



A Provincial Note of Connecticut. 

army in place of Washington; but this was opposed to the 
popular wish, and did not succeed. 

22. Aid from France. — Upon the news of Burgoyne's 
surrender reaching France, that country, impelled by 
rivalry of England, agreed to acknowledge the indepen- 
dence of the United States, and to furnish them aid in 
money and troops. A fleet, under Count D'Estaing, was 
at once sent to America, with the intention of block- 
ading the British in Philadelphia; but Clinton, who had 
succeeded Howe, withdrew the army toward New York. 



1779] The Revolution. 115 

At Monmouth Court-House the British were intercepted by 
Washington's army and defeated, but were not prevented 
from reaching the city. 

23. Movements of the Fleets. — The French fleet first 
sailed from the Delaware to New York Bay, then to Bos- 
ton, and finally to the West Indies. Clinton thereupon 
sent a British fleet against Savannah, which captured that 
place. Likewise, to punish the Americans for their great 
depredations on British merchant shipping, he destroyed 
many vessels, mills, and other property in the neighborhood 
of Buzzard's Bay and New Bedford. 

24. Massacre of Wyoming. — The confederacy of the Six 
Nations had been persuaded to enter the British service in 
1777. While serving in Burgoyne's army against the 
Americans, they committed many atrocities, one of the 
most notorious of their leaders being a Mohawk chief, 
named Brandt. In the summer of 1778, a band of the 
Seneca tribe, with British troops and Tories, descended the 
Susquehanna and destroyed the settlements in the Wyoming 
Valley. 

25. The able-bodied men were mostly absent in the 
American army, but the old men and boys were mustered 
into a company, while the women and children were 
gathered within a stockade fort. The Americans, being 
overpowered, surrendered or took to flight. All the pris- 
oners were massacred without mercy. The few survivors 
hurried to the fort where the women and children in terror 
were gathered, and, together, they made their escape through 
the wilderness and over the mountains to the Delaware. 

EVENTS OF 1779. 

26. The British in Georgia. — The British having Sa- 
vannah in their possession, the Tories throughout Georgia 
joined with them, so that that State came mostly under the 



116 History of the United States. [1779 

royal authority. An American army, under General Lin- 
coln, aided by the French fleet from the West Indies, made 
an assault upon Savannah, but the attempt to capture the 
place was unsuccessful, and both the fleet and the army 
were obliged to retire. 

27. Other British Successes. — An English expedition 
sailed into Hampton Roads, devastated Portsmouth, and de- 
stroyed the shipping. Another expedition, sent by Clinton 
into Long Island Sound, burnt the American shipping at 
New Haven, and devastated Fairfield, Nor walk, and Green- 
wich. This was done in retaliation for the depredations 
of American privateers on the shipping of the British. 
On the Hudson, the forts at Stony Point and Verplanck's 
Point fell into Clinton's hands. The American general 
Wayne re-captured Stony Point, but it was soon again in 
British possession. 

28. Sullivan's Indian Expedition. — To punish the Six 
Nations for the Wyoming massacre and other barbarities, 
an American army under General Sullivan was sent into 
their country. Forty of the Indian villages, upon the 
Tioga and Genesee Rivers, were laid waste, and all their 
corn and fruit-trees' destroyed. But as one enormity pro- 
vokes another, so the Indians retaliated in turn, hovering 
in small bands near the frontier settlements, and burning 
and scalping at every opportunity. 

29. A Naval Engagement, the most awful of the war, 
occurred on the coast of Scotland, between an American 
squadron of five vessels, under John Paul Jones, and two 
British frigates, under Captain Pearson. After the fight 
had continued with great fury for three hours, the maga- 
zine of the Serapis, one of the British frigates, exploded, 
and her commander then yielded. But it was a dreadful 
victory for the Americans, for of 375 men on board Jones's 
vessel, 300 were either killed or wounded. 






1780] The Revolution. 117 



EVENTS OF 1780. 

30. The British in South Carolina. — In South Carolina 
a cavalry force of the British, under Colonel Tarleton, de- 
feated detachments of the American army in several places. 
The British fleet and army having besieged Charleston, 
General Lincoln, the American commander, was obliged to 
surrender. Another American army, under General Gates, 
advanced into South Carolina, but was defeated in a battle 
fought at Camden. Partisan warfare was kept up for a 
long while in Carolina, Colonels Sumter, Marion, and 
Pickens being active on the American side. At King's 
Mountain, just within the border of North Carolina, a part 
of Cornwallis's army, which was advancing northward, was 
defeated, and retired into South Carolina. 

31. Treason of Arnold. — While General Arnold was com- 
mandant at Philadelphia, after the battle of Saratoga, his 
extravagant style of living led him to make a wrong use 
of the public moneys. For this he was tried by a court- 
martial and reprimanded by Washington ; but afterward, 
at his own request, he was placed in command at West 
Point. In revenge for the censure he had received, and 
that he might reap a high reward, he agreed to deliver 
West Point into the hands of the British. 

32. Capture of Andre'. — Clinton, at New York, being 
apprised of Arnold's scheme, sent a young aid-de-camp, 
named Major Andre, to confer with him as to the terms of 
surrender. But, after the interview, as Andre was return- 
ing to New York, he was captured by three of the Ameri- 
can militia, and the treasonable correspondence found upon 
his person. Arnold escaped, was appointed a general in 
the British service, and received for his treason a reward 
of £10,000. The talented Andre was hanged as a spy, 
although Washington would gladly have pardoned him 



118 History of the United States. [1781 

had he not thought it necessary to comply with the usages 
of war. 

EVENTS OF 1781-1786. 

33. Army and Monetary Troubles. — Early in 1781, there 
was a revolt of the whole body of Pennsylvania militia, 
who refused to serve any longer. They said that their 
terms of service had expired, their pay was due, and they 
were suffering from lack of clothing. As they were march- 
ing toward Philadelphia, where Congress was in session, 
they were met by Generals Reed and Wayne, who, on be- 
half of Congress, agreed to satisfy the troops if they would 
not disband. This they accordingly consented to. Robert 
Morris being appointed treasurer of the United States, 
the Bank of North America was organized, and the credit 
of the country somewhat improved. France and Holland 
made large loans to the republic. 

34. The War in Carolina was continued this year between 
the forces of Greene, who had succeeded Gates, and the 
British army under Cornwall is. On his way northward 
into Virginia, Cornwallis defeated the Americans at Guil- 
ford Court-House. Another division of the British army, 
under Lord Rawdou, was discomfited at Eutaw Springs, 
and retreated to Charleston. Savannah, in Georgia, and 
Wilmington, in North Carolina, were then the only other 
places south of Virginia held by the British. 

35. Final Campaign in Virginia. — Early in the year, 
General Arnold landed a body of British troops near 
Richmond, destroyed the public stores there, and com- 
mitted depredations upon private property. Additional 
troops were sent by Clinton, and united with Cornwallis's 
army ; but they were turned back by the American force 
under Lafayette. Cornwallis then intrenched himself at 
Yorktown, near the mouth of York River. He was there 
besieged by the American army, aided by a French force 



1783] 



The Revolution. 



119 



under Count de Rochambeau, which had been landed on 
Rhode Island the previous year. Washington directed 
the movements. A French fleet, under Count de Grasse, 
also arrived before Yorktown, when Cornwallis, finding he 
was hemmed in on every side, was forced to capitulate. 

36. End of the War. — When the news of the reverse at 
York town reached England, the people of that country, 
unwilling to be any longer taxed to carry on the struggle, 
demanded that peace be made. Although this did not 
suit the temper of 




SnffolK 



DISMAL SWAMP 



King George III., 
yet his cabinet were 
on the side of the 
people, and peace 
was accordingly 
agreed to. A treaty 
was signed at Ver- 
sailles on the 3d 
day of the Ninth 
month (September), 
1783. The Ameri- 
can republic was 
thus declared an in- 
dependent nation, its boundaries extending from the Atlan- 
tic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from the Great 
Lakes to Florida. The United States were represented at 
the treaty by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, 
and Henry Laurens. 

37. Washington and the Army. — Whilst the negotiations 
for peace were pending, much discontent was shown by the 
officers of the army, on account of not receiving the pay 
they had been promised. Washington appointed a special 
meeting with them at Newburg, on the Hudson, and suc- 
ceeded in allaying the storm. Some of them made a secret 



Where the War Ended. 



120 



History of the United States. 



[1783 



proposal to the commander that he should accept the title 
of " king," but he indignantly declined the proposed honor. 
Resigning his commission "as commander-in-chief at An- 
napolis, where Congress was then in session, Washington 
retired at the close of 1783 to his estate of Mount Vernon 
on the Potomac. 

38. Financial Losses. — According to an estimate made 
by Congress, the war of the Revolution cost the United 
States about 135 million dollars. Besides the debt incurred 
by the government, nearly every 
corporation was also in debt, whilst 
the currency was almost worthless. 
Trade and manufactures were at a 
very low ebb, and agriculture had 
been greatly neglected, owing to the 
withdrawal of so many yeomen to 
serve in the army. 

39. Moral Loss. — Of far more con- 
sequence than the money loss was 
the spread of vice and immorality, 
— a result of that license which war 
begets. The influence of the French 
and German officers in spreading 
sceptical views concerning matters 
of religion had been widely felt. 
In addition to this should be men- 
tioned the publication of the infidel 
works of Thomas Paine. They were largely read at that 
time and during the succeeding generation, and weakened 
or wrecked the religious belief of many. 

40. The Results in Massachusetts were perhaps more 
disastrous than they were in any other of the States. The 
State debt had been increased to more than thirty times 
what it was before the war, and all the towns were bur- 




Mount Vernon. 



1786] Shays's Rebellion. 121 

dened in a similar manner. The merchant fleet of Nan- 
tucket had been reduced by the war from 150 sail to 19. 
Where prosperity showed itself in the maritime towns, it 
was generally the result of gains arising from privateer- 
ing. The lavish use of this money had at first the effect of 
creating a demand for foreign goods; but, to pay for these, 
specie had to be sent out of the country. As the home 
currency was of little value, many failures followed. 

41. Shays's Rebellion. — The unhappy condition of the 
country resulted in insurrections in various places. The 
most important of these was that which occurred in Massa- 
chusetts in 1786, and was known as Shays's Rebellion. It 
grew out of the great accumulation of private debts, and 
the law measures which were taken to collect them, the 
people crying out against the lawyers and the courts as 
being the causes of their woe. At Northampton, many 
hundreds of the malcontents armed themselves with muskets 
and obtained possession of the court-house. At Spring- 
field, led by a Captain Shays, they tried to secure the 
Federal arsenal, but were dispersed by the State troops. 
The abuses complained of were duly rectified by the 
General Court and Legislature. 

42. Conclusions. — In a history so brief as this, only a 
mere outline of the main events can be given, for, were all 
the particulars of the war set forth, they would fill volumes. 
England did indeed oppress us, and it was well that our 
country should be independent and free. Yet, as we read 
how brothers who were Tories fought against brothers who 
were Whigs; how Indians were bargained with to burn and 
scalp and commit every wickedness; how French and 
Hessians were also drawn into the strife ; how worthless 
became the currency, how trade suffered, and the fields 
were untilled; how infidelity, drunkenness, profanity, and 
other vices prevailed, — we will then be ready to ask our- 

11 



122 History of the United States. [1786 

selves the question, whether America and the mother-country 
ought not to have settled their quarrel in another way. 

43. It is well to remember the words of the sage 
Franklin in the year of the treaty (1783), that "all wars 
are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones," and 
that " there never has been, nor ever will be, any such 
thing as a good war or a bad peace." And One wiser than 
Franklin also declared, that men should always seek peace, 
and that the way to do so is to love and pray for our 
enemies, doing good to those who hate or despitefully use us. 



CHAPTER XV. 

A REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT FORMED. 

1. Plans for Colonial Union. — Various plans for a union 
of the colonies, more general in purpose than (1) the New 
England Confederacy of 1643, were proposed before the 
Revolution. (2) One of these plans for a permanent union 
was suggested by William Perm. (3) Next, at the Albany 
conference during the last French war, Benjamin Franklin 
proposed a union of seven of the colonies, to be represented 
by a General Council. Over this council was to be a presi- 
dent-general appointed by Great Britain. But this project 
was not received with entire favor either by the colonies or 
the mother-country. (4) When the Stamp Act was passed 
in 1765, a general Colonial Congress met at New York, 
adopted a declaration of rights and grievances, and issued 
several addresses. (5) During the following nine years 
unity of action was kept alive by Committees of Correspond- 
ence, as first proposed by Samuel Adams of Massachusetts. 
Beginning with the various towns of that province, the 



1785] A Republican Government Formed. 123 

plan was quickly adopted by the other colonies. (6) Finally, 
in 1774, after the passage of the Boston Port Bill, delegates 
from eleven of the colonies met at Philadelphia, and formed 
themselves into the assembly known as the Continental 
Congress. 

2. The Confederacy not Satisfactory. — After the Declara- 
tion of Independence was issued, Articles of Confederation 
were adopted by Congress and ratified by the governments 
of all the States. The confederacy took the title of the 
United States of America, and a Congress of delegates from 
all the States was the governing body. But, after a few 
years' trial, it was found that this compact allowed so much 
liberty of action to the States, that some of them inclined 
to one course and others to another. Unless the union 
was made more perfect, continual disagreements must arise 
between them. 

3. Some of the Defects. — One of the greatest defects of 
the government of the Confederacy was, that no power 
was given to Congress to make treaties of commerce with 
foreign nations, or to regulate the commerce between the 
States. Hence, as each State adopted such a policy as it 
thought would result the most to its own advantage, jeal- 
ousies^ and bitterness began to arise between them. Another 
defect was, that the power to levy taxes was given to the 
States, yet not conferred on the general government. Thus 
the credit of the Confederacy was likely to suffer. There 
was also no judicial power like the Supreme Court to apply 
the laws of Congress and to decide upon troubles arising 
between the States. Neither was there any chief executive 
power such as a President. 

4. Origin of the Constitution. — The Legislatures of Mary- 
land and Virginia, in 1785, were desirous of making a 
compact relative to the navigation of Chesapeake Bay 
and the Potomac River. Finding, however, that they 



124 History of the United States. [1787 

possessed too little power for the purpose, they proposed a 
convention of all the States to decide the matter. Dele- 
gates from five of the States met at Annapolis next year, 
but, as they represented only a minority of the States, they 
judged it best to issue a call for a general convention. 
Accordingly, in 1787, such an assembly met at Philadel- 
phia, appointed George Washington their presiding officer, 
and proceeded to frame a Constitution. 

5. Differences of Opinion. — States' Rights. — The chief 
conflict of opinion was upon the question how much power 
it would be safe to take away from the States and to give 
to the general government. Two diverse parties thence 
arose: the Federalists, who favored a strong compact or 
union of the States, and the Anti-Federalists, who were 
opposed to surrendering the States' rights. These desired 
a confederacy or league of States, rather than a compact 
nation. 

6. Basis of Representation in Congress. — The question 
of slavery also became a prominent one. The Southern 
delegates wished the States to be allowed representation ac- 
cording to the whole population, whether white or black, 
bond or free. By having the slaves counted, they would 
thus secure more delegates in Congress ; but the Northern 
members thought this was not right, as the slaves were 
treated as so much property, and had none of their own 
number to represent them. It was finally agreed that, in 
determining the quota of representation, five slaves should 
be counted as though they were three Avhite persons. 

7. The Constitution Adopted. — After the convention had 
been in session four months, and the draft of the Constitu- 
tion had been earnestly discussed, it was finally agreed to, 
as amended, and forwarded to Congress. Congress then 
sent a copy of it to the Legislatures of the thirteen States, 
by all of whom it was adopted, Rhode Island being the 



1787] A Republican Government Formed. 125 

last to give its assent. [See the full text of the Constitution 
in the latter part of the book.] 

8. The Purposes of the Constitution are thus stated in the 
preamble : " We the people of the United States, in order 
to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure 
domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, pro- 
mote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty 
to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this 
Constitution of the United States of America." The 
" people" of the United States were here declared to have 
made this more perfect union. Thus we became a nation 
rather than a league of States, as before. 

9. The Powers of Government conferred by the Constitu- 
tion come under three heads : the legislative, the executive, 
and the judicial. In other words, there is a Congress with 
power to make the laws ; a President and Vice-President 
to execute them ; and a Supreme Court and certain lower 
courts which possess judicial powers. 

10. The Legislative Power, or tlie power to make the 
laws, is vested in two assemblies, a Senate and a House of 
Representatives. Both assemblies are together called the 
Congress, and they must convene once a year. The Legis- 
latures of the States choose their Senators, each State, what- 
ever its size or population, being allowed two; but the 
Representatives are chosen directly by the people. The 
term of service of the Senators is six years ; that of the 
Representatives, only two years. The presiding officer of 
each body is called its " Speaker." 

11. The Executive Power is vested in a President and a 
Vice-President, chosen by the people for a term of four 
years. The Vice-President is the presiding officer or 
Speaker of the Senate. In case of the death, resignation, 
or removal of the President, he serves in his place. The 
President nominates ambassadors and consuls to foreign 

11* 



126 History of the United States. [1787 

countries, heads of departments, judges of the Supreme 
Court, postmasters, and other officials, and can enter into 
treaties with foreign powers, — all subject to confirmation by 
the Senate. The President and Vice-President, and other 
civil officers of the government, may be impeached for 
treason or misdemeanor by the House of Representatives. 
The Senate is the court which tries them. 

12. The Judicial Power is vested in a Supreme Court and 
such inferior courts as Congress may from time to time 
establish. Should a law passed by Congress or by any 
State Legislature be found to be at variance with the Fed- 
eral Constitution, the Supreme Court can pronounce it 
illegal and not binding. When disputes arise between two 
States, or between the citizens of one State and the govern- 
ment of another, the same tribunal may decide them. 
When a mutiny or other trouble takes place upon an 
American vessel at sea, the offenders are brought before 
one of the United States District Courts for trial. So also 
are those who are accused of robbing the mail or counter- 
feiting the currency. 

13. How the Three Powers Act. — The three branches of 
the government service — the legislative, executive, and ju- 
dicial — were wisely framed so as to act as checks upon one 
another. When a law is passed by Congress and sent 
to the President for his signature, he may return it to Con- 
gress with his veto if he does not approve of it. It then 
requires a two-thirds vote of both Houses to " pass it over 
his veto." The President's veto power is designed to pre- 
vent too great haste in the passage of bills. Even when a 
bill has been approved and become a law, it may still be set 
aside by the Supreme Court, if that body finds it uncon- 
stitutional. 

14. The two Houses of Congress likewise act as a check 
upon each other. Although the Senate lias the treaty- 



1787] Formation of Nciv States. 127 

making power, yet in the House of Representatives all 
the money-appropriation bills for the different departments 
of government must originate. If, therefore, the Senate 
was to enter into an unwise treaty, the House could refuse 
to vote the money to carry its provisions into effect. 

15. Compared with other Republics. — One of the republics 
which our own most nearly resembles, was that which was 
formed in Greece about 300 years before the Christian era. 
It was a league of twelve towns, for their mutual welfare 
and defence, and had its president, council, and senate. In 
modern times there was a similar federation, known as the 
Union of Utrecht, formed between the provinces of the 
Netherlands. The Swiss cantons are also united as a re- 
public. But all these resemble the league of states such 
as was ours under the Articles of Confederation, rather 
than the closer union of the people which we became under 
the Constitution. The modern republic of France, with 
its president, senate, and popular assembly, closely resem- 
bles ours ; but the French Senate is so constituted that 
one-fourth of its members hold their seats for life. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

FORMATION OF NEW STATES. 

1. Vermont. — The territory lying between the Upper 
Hudson and Connecticut Rivers was claimed by both New 
York and New Hampshire. The first grants of that 
region were issued for the township of Bennington by 
Governor Benning Wentworth, of New Hampshire, in 
1749. Brattleboro' had been settled 25 years earlier, 
during the Norridgewock war. Other grants continued 



128 History of the United States. [1791 

to be issued, notwithstanding New York's claim, founded 
upon the grant to the Duke of York. An appeal being 
taken to the crown, judgment was given in favor of New 
York. That Stale, upon the receipt of the sum of §30,000, 
gave up all its right to the soil. Under the name of Ver- 
mont, the territory lately in dispute was admitted into the 
Union in 1791, as the 14th State. 

2. Maine, which continued to be a part of the territory 
of Massachusetts until 1820, was, upon its separation from 
that State, admitted as a member of the Union the same 
year. During the Revolution, the district of Maine held 
many loyalists. Many of these gradually retired eastward 
of the Penobscot, and finally beyond the St. Croix into 
New Brunswick. [See also page 68.] 

3. The Territories of the Old States. — According to the 
charters of a number of the English colonies, their terri- 
tory was described as extending westward to the Pacific 
Ocean. Upon the conclusion of the war of the Revolution, 
the Mississippi River was, by the treaty of Versailles, 
named as the western limit. To the Mississippi River, 
therefore, the seven States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, 
New York, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and 
Georgia, claimed, as shown on the map. These States 
were very unwilling to give up their unoccupied lands to 
the government; but the other six States, which had 
smaller areas, insisted that as this western land must be 
defended by the general government, it ought to be held 
as the common territory of all. 

4. Cession of the Territories. — Finally, in 1780, it was 
agreed by Congress that, if the Territories were ceded to 
the government, they should be used only for the common 
benefit, and, when peopled, should be admitted as repub- 
lican States into the Union on an equality with the original 
13. With this understanding, New York promptly ceded 



130 History of the United States. [1787 

its western territory the same year ; the last to part with 
hers was Georgia, in 1802. 

5. The North-West Territory, or the large tract north of 
the Ohio, extending westward to the Mississippi, was con- 
veyed to the government by Virginia, New York, Connec- 
ticut, and Massachusetts. It was organized as a Territory 
by Congress in 1787, with the stipulation that slavery 
should be prohibited within its limits. It was further 
agreed that it should be divided into not less than three, 
nor more than five, States. As the requisite population of 
60,000 was reached, there were admitted, in succession, the 
five States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wis- 
consin. 

6. Organization of Territories. — After surveys of any 
Territory have been made by order of Congress, it may dis- 
pose of its lands in several ways. Some of these are : to 
sell sections of the land to actual settlers, or give it to dis- 
charged soldiers, or make grants of it to railroad corpora- 
tions. When the population begins to increase, the Presi- 
dent has the right to appoint a governor, secretary, and 
judicial officers; but the people choose their own territo- 
rial legislature. They can send a delegate to Congress to 
represent them, but he has not the right to vote. 

7. How States are Admitted. — The power to admit new 
States belongs to Congress. When a Territory contains a 
sufficient number of inhabitants to become a State, the 
people of the Territory may adopt a Constitution and sub- 
mit it to Congress, with a petition that they be admitted 
into the Union. If in the opinion of Congress the Con- 
stitution is republican in form, and no hindrance appears 
(like polygamy, in the case of Utah), an act of admission 
may be passed. In some cases Congress has passed the act 
of admission first, with the condition that a proper Consti- 
tution shall be adopted at a certain time. 



1818] Formation of New Slates. 131 

8. No State Religion is permitted under the Constitution 
of the United States, the first amendment to which declares 
that " Congress shall make no law respecting an establish- 
ment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." 
It has been objected by many persons that the Constitution 
does not even recognize the existence of God. As the 
Ordinance for the government of the North- West Terri- 
tory and the Constitutions of the States do contain explicit 
mention of the Supreme Being, the nation's Constitution 
should have been more clear in that respect. 

9. Ohio, the State first formed from the North- West 
Territory, was admitted into the Union in 1802. Its first 
colonists were New Englanders, who, in 1788, descended 
the Ohio River from Pittsburg, and settled Marietta, at 
the mouth of the Muskingum. In the same year Fort 
Washington was built, where Cincinnati now stands, by 
General St. Clair, governor of the North-West Territory. 
There was war with the Miamis at that time. Although 
many of the first settlers of Ohio were from New England, 
yet, in later years, many families who were opposed to 
slavery came into the State from the Carolinas and Vir- 
ginia. Cincinnati has received many Germans, almost 
one-third of its population being of that nationality. 

10. Indiana was settled by nearly the same class of people 
as Ohio, and was admitted as a State in 1816. A few years 
before that date, General Harrison, governor of the terri- 
tory, was engaged in a war with Tecumseh's Indians, — as 
narrated under Madison's administration. The oldest city 
in Indiana is Vincennes. It received its name from a 
French Canadian, named De Vincennes, who, in Bien- 
ville's war against the Chickasaws in 1736, was burnt at 
the stake by that tribe. 

11. Illinois was admitted in 1818. The territory was 
sparsely inhabited by several Indian tribes when Hennepin 



132 



History of the United States. 



[1832 



and La Salle, in 1679, voyaged down the river of the Illi- 
nois to the Mississippi. La Salle built a fort near where 
Peoria now stands. More than a century later, in 1795, 
a stockade fort was built on the present site of Chicago. 
It was destroyed in the war of 1812, and the garrison 
massacred by Indians. 

12. During the Black Hawk war, in Jackson's adminis- 
tration (1832), traders and others followed the troops, and 
Chicago began to be built. It increased in population 

rapidly. In 1871, 
a great fire occurred 
there, involving a 
loss of property 
estimated at 200 
millions of dollars. 
Two hundred per- 
sons perished, and 
many thousands 
were left house- 
less. Many rail- 
ways concentre at 
Chicago, and the 
city is said to be 
the greatest grain- 
shipping port in 
the world. 

13. Michigan was not admitted as a State until 1837, 
although the first settlement in the North- West was in its 
territory. As early as 1668, Marquette and two other 
priests established among the Chippeways a mission-station 
at St. Marie, where the waters of Lake Superior flow into 
Lake Huron. Detroit, on the strait where the waters of 
Huron flow into Lake Erie, was founded by the French 
in 1701. It was besieged by the chief Pontiac, and was 
the scene of active operations during the war of 1812. 




The North- West Territory. 



1796] Formation of New States. 133 

Michigan's great wealth has been chiefly derived from its 
immense forests of lumber and its mines of copper. 

14. Wisconsin came into the Union in 1848. When the 
French voyagers, Marquette and Joliet, re-discovered the 
Mississippi in 1673, they passed from Lake Michigan into 
Green Bay, Wisconsin, and ascended Fox River. Then, 
after paddling along a chain of little lakes, and carrying 
their canoes a short distance, upon the waters of the Wis- 
consin they launched them once more, and thus reached the 
great Mississippi. Wisconsin's chief city, Milwaukee, has 
been largely settled by Germans and Scandinavians. The 
Winnebago Indians formerly occupied that locality. 

15. [Note. — We have taken a brief view of all the newer 
States north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi. Let 
us now turn to those south of the Ohio. These were also 
formed from the western parts of such of the original 13 
States as extended to the Mississippi. See map, page 129.] 

16. Kentucky. — In 1769, Daniel Boone and others, led 
by an Indian trader, left their homes in the Yadkin Valley 
of North Carolina, and journeyed westward through the 
mountain country, nearly into Kentucky. Boone was cap- 
tured by the Indians, but returned to the territory a few 
years later with another party, and settled there. During 
the Revolution, a stockade fort was built by the Americans 
at the Falls of the Ohio, where Louisville afterward arose. 
The Shawnee tribe at that time occupied the land. Ken- 
tucky, which was ceded to the government by Virginia, 
was admitted into the Union in 1792. 

17. Tennessee, which had been the western territory of 
North Carolina, was admitted into the Union in 1796. 
Just forty years before that date, in the time of the last 
war with the French, Fort Loudoun was built in the 
country of the Cherokees, East Tennessee. The royal 

12 



134 History of the United States. [1768 

governor of Carolina was so desirous of enlisting the 
Cherokees against the French, that he promised them a 
reward for every scalp of a Frenchman or French Indian 
they should bring in. The first settlers were refugees from 
North Carolina, who, wishing to escape from the exactions 
of the royal officers, located upon one of the head-streams 
of the Tennessee in 1768. 

18. Mississippi and Alabama were formed out of the 
western part of Georgia and the narrow strip (scarcely 14 
miles wide) of Western South Carolina. A reference to 
the map will show this. They were first called the Terri- 
tory of Mississippi. Being divided, the western portion 
retained that name, and was admitted as a State in 1817. 
Biloxi, on an arm of the Gulf of Mexico, was selected for 
settlement by the French about 1700. The occupation of 
the lands of the Natchez by the French, and their wars 
with that tribe and with the Chickasaws, have been already 
narrated. [See page 94.] 

19. Alabama was admitted into the Union two years after 
Mississippi, in 1819. The French, under D'Iberville, 
settled at Mobile in 1702. A few years later a trading- 
post was built by the French " Mississippi Company" 
where Montgomery now stands. The Choctaws, who were 
an agricultural people, dwelt in the central and south- 
ern parts of Alabama. Cotton is the great staple of this 
State, as it is also of Georgia and Mississippi on either 
side of it. 

20. [Note. — The purchase of Florida from Spain, and of 
Louisiana from France, also the admission into the Union 
of these and the rest of the States, are mentioned under 
the administrations during which those events occurred. 
A list of all the States except the original 13, from what 
territory derived, and when admitted into the Union, is 
given below in this place for convenience of reference.] 



Formation of New States. 



135 



21. Vermont, claimed by New Hampshire and 

New York . 
Kentucky, ceded by Virginia . 
Tennessee, ceded by North Carolina . 
Ohio, formed from North- West Territory 
Indiana " " " 

Illinois " " " 

Michigan " " " " 

Wisconsin " " " 

Mississippi, ceded by Georgia and South 

Carolina 
Alabama, ceded by Georgia and Soutl 

Carolina 
Maine, set off from Massachusetts 
Louisiana, purchased from France 
Missouri, part of the Louisiana tract . 
Arkansas " " " " . 

Iowa . " " " " . 

Minnesota " " " " (chiefly) 

Oregon " " " " . 

Kansas " " " « . 

Nebraska " " " " . 

Florida, purchased from Spain . 
Texas, revolted from Mexico 
California, purchased from Mexico . 
Nevada " " 

Colorado, " " and France 

West Virginia, set off from Virginia 



1791 
1792 
1796 
1802 
1816 
1818 
1837 
1848 

1817 

1819 
1820 
1812 
1821 
1836 
1846 
1858 
1859 
1861 
1864 
1845 
1845 
1850 
1864 
1876 
1863 



136 History of the United States. 

22. Number of States and Territories. — The above 25 
States have been admitted into the Union since the origi- 
nal 13, thus making the whole number at present 38. 
There are also 8 (regular) Territories : Utah, New Mexico, 
Arizona, Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Wash- 
ington. In addition to these, there are (1) the Indian 
Territory, part of which has a modern Indian government 
of its own ; (2) the District of Alaska ; and (3) the Dis- 
trict of Columbia, which latter is under the control of a 
Board of Commissioners, three in number, appointed by 
the President. 



Contemporary European Chronology. 

1774. Louis XVI., King of France. Linnaeus. Buffon. Voltaire. 
1789. The French Revolution begins with the formation of the National 
Assembly. 

George III. on the throne of England. Burke. Blair. Gibbon. 

1772-1795. Poland conquered and partitioned by Russia, Austria, and Prussia. 



Newspapers. 

The first colonial news sheet was a little monthly, entitled "Publick Occur- 
rences, both Foreign and Domestiek," published at Boston, in 1690, by Benja- 
min Harris. William Bradford, at New York, began the issue of a reprint of 
the " London Gazette," in 1096. This was followed, in 1704, by a weekly of 
Boston, the " News-Letter," which continued until the Revolution. It had a 
circulation of only 300 copies. More widely distributed was the " New England 
Courant," established in the same city (1721) by James, the brother of Benja- 
min, Franklin. The early days of the latter were passed as an apprentice in 
his brother's printing-shop. Philadelphia's first issue, the " American Weekly 
Mercury," of Andrew Bradford, began to be published two years earlier than 
Franklin's paper. Although, at the time of the adoption of the Constitution, 
the number of the newspapers in this country had greatly increased, yet the 
circulation of all of them together did not equal the issue of a single one of 
our principal dailies. The patent for a "Lightning Printing-Press" was 
granted to R. M. Hoe in 1816. 



PERIOD V. 
PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATIONS TO THE CIVIL WAR. 



CHAPTER XV.II. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OP WASHINGTON, ADAMS, AND 
JEFFERSON. 

"WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. 1789-1797. 

1. George Washington, of Virginia, who was elected by 
the people of the United States their first President, en- 
tered upon the duties of his office in the spring of 1789. 
John Adams, of Massachusetts, was elected Vice-President. 
Eour years later, at the expiration of their term of office, 
they were both re-elected to serve a second term. 

2. The First Cabinet. — To assist him by their counsels 
and to have an oversight of the respective departments of 
government, Washington selected the following officers of 
his "cabinet": Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State; 
Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury; Henry 
Knox, Secretary of War ; Edmund Randolph, Attorney- 
General ; Samuel Osgood, Postmaster-General. John Jay 
was chosen chief-justice of the United States. The sepa- 
rate offices of Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of the 
Interior were afterward added. [Note. — The duties of 
these departments, and of their various bureaus, are set 
forth in chapter xxiv.] 

3. Work of the First Congress. — To raise a revenue for 
defraying the expenses of the government, as well as to 

137 



138 History of the United States. [1789 

pay the war debt of the Revolution, Congress imposed a 
tariff on merchandise imported, and laid a duty on the ton- 
nage of vessels. The national courts were organized into 
a Supreme Court, Circuit and District Courts ; the Consti- 
tution was amended by the adoption of twelve new articles ; 
and the salaries of the President, Vice-President, justices, 
and members of Congress, were fixed. 

4. The Miami War. — Probably incited by some ill-dis- 
posed traders from Canada, Little Turtle, a chief of the 
Miami Indians, persuaded his own tribe, as well as the 
Wyandottes and others, to begin a war against the whites. 
A body of troops sent into their country was defeated. 
General St. Clair, governor of the North-West Territory, 
then proceeded with an army against them, but was like- 
wise discomfited by Little Turtle's band, so that not more 
than one-fourth of his force escaped. 

5. The following year, the Indians yet refusing to con- 
sent to a treaty, General AVayne was sent against them, 
and finally obliged them, in 1794, to agree to a peace. An 
extensive tract south of Lake Erie was given up to the 
government, in return for which the Indians were to receive 
a yearly payment of a few thousand dollars in money and 
merchandise. 

6. The Whiskey Insurrection was a rebellion which broke 
out in the western part of Pennsylvania in 1791, when 
Congress imposed a tax on the manufacture of ardent 
spirits. Whiskey-distilling in that region had been carried 
on largely for many years, mostly by emigrants from Ire- 
land, but for a while previous to the act of Congress of 
1791, the distillers had been exempt from a tax even by 
the State. 

7. When the obnoxious measure was passed by Congress, 
scenes of violence ensued, such as driving away or assault- 
ing the law-officers, and burning the barns and mills of 



1797] Washington's Administration. lo9 

those distillers who complied with the act. A large army 
was called out by the President to quell the disturbance, 
but, through the exertions of some men of moderation, 
order was restored. Albert Gallatin, a native of Switzer- 
land, a man of liberal education, was particularly active in 
settling the matter by amicable means. 

8. War with France Prevented. — France, being at war 
with England and Holland, would have been glad to re- 
ceive aid from the United States in return for services 
rendered this country during the Revolution. But Wash- 
ington and his cabinet were opposed to any interference by 
Americans in the affairs of the nations beyond the Atlan- 
tic. A proclamation of neutrality was accordingly issued, 
and we were saved from being drawn into the strife. The 
French envoy, Genet, who took advantage of the sym- 
pathy shown by some Americans, to fit out privateers, 
was recalled by his government. 

9. Treaties with England and Spain. — A treaty was made 
with England, by which various matters likely to cause a 
difficulty between the two countries were adjusted. By a 
treaty with Spain, which then owned Louisiana, the bound- 
aries between that territory and the United States were 
settled. Likewise, the free navigation of the Mississippi 
River was secured to the American government. 

10. The Peaceful Policy which Washington had favored 
resulted, among other things, in much commercial pros- 
perity. This was shown by the increase in the exports of 
the country, which had risen, at the end of his eight years' 
term, from 19 to 56 million dollars. In his Farewell Ad- 
dress, Washington calls upon his countrymen to continue in 
the same peaceful course as that with which they had begun; 
to cherish a true union of the States ; to beware of keeping 
a large standing army; not to alter the provisions of the 
Constitution hastily ; and especially to be watchful against 



140 History of the United States. [1797 

the evils of party spirit. Washington then retired to his 
estate of Mount Vernon, and died there near the end of 
1799. 

JOHN ADAMS'S ADMINISTRATION. 1797-1801. 

11. John Adams, of Massachusetts, who had served two 
terms with Washington as Vice-President, became the 
second President of the United States; whilst Thomas 
Jefferson, of Virginia, was chosen to the second office in 
the gift of the people. Washington had refused to be 
President for a third term. 

12. The Political Parties. — Notwithstanding Washing- 
ton's strong protest against the spirit of party, the election 
canvass was very bitter. The two chief political parties 
were the Republicans, who desired the friendship of 
France, and the Federalists, who were charged with too 
much favor toward England and its form of government. 

13. The Mode of Electing- the President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at that time was different from what it is at present. 
The candidate who received the highest number of votes 
became President, and the one having the second highest 
on the list became Vice-President. It therefore happened 
in this instance that Adams was chosen by Federalist votes, 
and Jefferson by Republican votes. The Constitution was 
afterward amended so that such a thing might not again 
happen, both President and Vice-President being now 
always of the same political party. 

14. War with France again Averted. — The French gov- 
ernment, being displeased at America's neutrality, refused, 
in 1797, to receive our authorized minister. Three envoys 
were then sent by President Adams to France. ■ Not suc- 
ceeding in their negotiations, war appeared imminent, and 
the army and navy were ordered into service. But Bona- 
parte, having at that time overthrown the government of 



1800] 



John Adams's Administration. 



141 



the Directory, received the envoys who were a second time 
sent from this country. Thus war was again turned aside, 
a treaty signed, and the matters in dispute settled. 

15. Sedition and Alien Laws. — Two measures approved 
by the President caused him to become unpopular with 
many. One of these was the " Sedition Law." It gave 




The Camtol at Washington. 

government the power to impose a heavy fine and imprison- 
ment upon any person conspiring to oppose its measures by 
act, speech, or printed publications. The "Alien Act" 
permitted the President to banish from the country any 
foreigners whom he considered dangerous to its peace and 
liberty. These laws were thought necessary by the Presi- 
dent because of the Reign of Terror in France, and the 
fear that emissaries from that country should come hither 
with wicked intent. 

16. The Seat of Government was Removed from Phila- 
delphia to the city of Washington in the year 1800. The 
District of Columbia comprises a square, nearly ten miles 



142 History of the United States. [1801 

on each side, granted by Maryland and Virginia to the 
government as the location for the capital. The city was 
laid out upon the north side of the Potomac, under the 
direction of Washington himself. Broad avenues, from 
90 to 160 feet in width, were marked out, and a capitol 
and other government buildings erected. 

JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 1801-1809. 

17. Thomas Jefferson was elected third President of the 
United States by the party opposed in politics to Adams. 
Jefferson was a man of much intelligence, a fluent writer, 
and the chief author of the Declaration of Independence. 
He had also been governor of Virginia, and minister to 
France. Aaron Burr was chosen Vice-President. The 
Alien and Sedition Laws were promptly repealed by the 
new administration. 

18. The Louisiana Purchase. — At the close of the last 
intercolonial war in 1763, France had ceded the vast tract 
then known as Louisiana to Spain. Spain kept Louisiana 
until the year 1800, when she transferred it back to France. 
That country showing a disposition to restrict the free navi- 
gation of the Mississippi, Congress made a proposition to 
France to buy Louisiana, and the offer was accepted. For 
the sum of fifteen million dollars, all of the territory claimed 
by France from the Mississippi River to the Pacific, was, 
in 1803, ceded to the United States. Spain's claim to the 
Oregon part was released in 1819. [See map, page 172.] 

19. A War with Tripoli broke out in 1804, owing to 
the depredations of the Tripolitans upon American mer- 
chant-vessels, and the carrying their crews into slavery. 
The United States had paid an annual tribute to the Bar- 
bary States, but refused any longer to do so. Commodores 
Dale and Preble were sent with two small fleets to the 
Mediterranean, and blockaded the ports of Tripoli. The 



1807] Jefferson's Administration. 143 

next year, William Eaton, an American ex-consul, then in 
Egypt, marched a body of troops across the desert to Derne ; 
but, before he could reach Tripoli, our consul-general there 
had effected a treaty of peace. 

20. Duel between Burr and Hamilton. — Alexander Ham- 
ilton, who had been Secretary of the Treasury under Wash- 
ington, was afterward appointed commander-in-chief of 
the army. Having offended Aaron Burr, the Vice-Presi- 
dent, the latter sent Hamilton a challenge to mortal combat. 
In the duel, which took place at Weehawken, on the Hud- 
son, Hamilton was mortally wounded by the fire of his 
opponent. This event caused so painful a sensation 
throughout the country that the practice of duelling fell 
very much into disrepute. At the Presidential election 
which followed, Jefferson was again chosen to the first 
office, but George Clinton, of New York, succeeded to 
Burr's place. 

21. Burr's Scheme of Conquest. — Burr, being shunned 
by his countrymen and disappointed in not securing office, 
devised a scheme for the conquest of Mexico. A new 
kingdom was to be set up there. As a place of rendezvous 
for his followers, a large tract of land on the Washita was 
purchased. One of those to whom Burr confided his 
scheme was Herman Blennerhassett, the owner of an island 
on the Ohio Eiver, near Marietta. Preparations were made 
for the undertaking in 1807, by building barges at Marietta 
and enlisting men for the service. But, the plan being ex- 
posed, Burr was taken to Richmond for trial before Chief- 
Justice Marshall. He was charged both with offending 
against the King of Spain, to whom Mexico belonged, and 
with treason against the United States, but was released on 
the ground of insufficient evidence. 

22. The British Blockade Acts. — The wars in Europe 
between Napoleon Bonaparte and the allied powers had 



144 History of the United States. 1807 

resulted in greatly increasing for a while the commerce of 
the United States. American and other vessels were actively 
engaged in carrying goods and food-products to the con- 
testants, thereby reaping great gain. To prevent this 
action on the part of neutrals, Great Britain, in 1806, de- 
clared all the ports from Brest, in France, to the river Elbe 
blockaded by her fleets. The trading- vessels of other 
nations were warned not to be found within those limits. 
A second decree against neutrals, called the British Orders 
in Council, appeared next year. 

23. The Decrees of Napoleon.— In retaliation for the 
British Blockade Acts, Napoleon issued his " Berlin De- 
cree" and " Milan Decree." They were so called because 
they were issued from those two cities. These acts declared 
the British Islands and their dominions to be in a state of 
blockade by France, and forbade the Americans or other 
neutrals to trade with them. 

24. Embargo Act. — As the enforcement of the English 
and French decrees would be likely to result in great losses 
to American shipping, President Jefferson advised that 
an embargo be laid upon all the merchant-vessels of the 
country. Congress accordingly passed such a measure, 
thereby preventing American vessels from leaving their 
ports. 

25. But the Embargo Act did not suit American shippers, 
whose profits from the carrying trade were such that they 
preferred to take the risk of capture. The farmers and 
planters also murmured, because the excess of their products 
could not be sent abroad. Then Congress, in 1809, re- 
moved the embargo, but forbade intercourse with Great 
Britain and France, whilst France passed a like act with 
regard to America. These restrictions, however, were soon 
removed by both countries. Commerce and war, it is 
evident, can never be made to work well together. 



1809] Jefferson's Administration. 145 

26. Right of Search. — Jefferson's unfriendliness toward 
England was well known to Napoleon. It was his hope 
that an occasion would arise which would cause a rupture 
between the United States and England, and thus prove 
of advantage to France. The right claimed by the British 
of searching American vessels for British seamen seemed 
likely to bring about what France desired. It was at that 
time the English law that a British subject must always 
remain so, no matter how many years he might live in this 
country: his becoming naturalized here made no differ- 
ence. Hence, in searching American vessels for English 
deserters, trouble would be sure to occur. 

27. Affair of the Chesapeake. — Previous to 1807, only 
private vessels of the Americans had been searched by the 
British for their deserters, but in the summer of that year 
the American frigate Chesapeake was overhauled by the 
English frigate Leopard, off the capes of Virginia. Four 
deserters from the British service were on board the Chesa- 
peake, and were ordered to be given up. The Americans 
did not comply until a broadside had been fired into them. 

28. Jefferson's hasty Action. — The President immedi- 
ately issued a proclamation ordering all British merchant- 
vessels to leave American ports. James Monroe, the 
American minister at London, had negotiated a treaty with 
England ; but Jefferson would not submit it to the Senate, 
because it did not absolutely forbid the right of search. 
An envoy from England then came to America to settle 
the Chesapeake difficulty, first requesting Jefferson to recall 
his order against British vessels. The President would not 
agree to this, and the envoy returned home. Thus matters 
stood at the end of Jefferson's second term in the spring 
of 1809. 

k 13 



146 History of the United States. [1809 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF MADISON, MONROE, AND J. Q. 
ADAMS. 

MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION. 1809-1817. 

1. Further Negotiations with England. — James Madison, 
of Virginia, was Jefferson's successor in the presidency. 
His administration opened brightly, for an understanding 
was at once arrived at with the British minister at Wash- 
ington. It was agreed that, if the President would annul 
the Non-Intercourse Act, then the British government 
would repeal its Orders in Council. These orders required 
American vessels, before entering a port of Prance with 
goods for that country, to pay customs duties in England. 
But the English government having stated that their min- 
ister had no power to make such an agreement, Madison 
dismissed him. Hence arose one cause of the war of 1812. 

2. The Eight of Search Unsettled. — A second cause of 
the war was the claim of Great Britain to the right to 
search American vessels for British seamen. The affair of 
the Chesapeake was settled in 1811, by the British govern- 
ment making amends; but the good effect of that act was 
lost through a second encounter off the capes of Virginia, 
between an English and an American war-vessel. The 
British vessel was disabled, and many of her men w T ere 
killed or wounded. 

3. War with Tecumseh. — Another cause of the war with 
England was, that the agents of that country (so it was 
charged) incited the Indians to hostilities against the 



1812] • War of 1812. 147 

United States. It would appear that our own government 
may Lave been also at fault. The Miamis had ceded to 
the government a tract of land upon the Wabash, which 
Tecumseh and his brother, the "Prophet," of the Shawnee 
tribe, declared ought not to have been done without their 
consent and that of other chiefs. General Harrison then 
advanced against the allied tribes, and defeated them in a 
battle on the Tippecanoe. In the following year, a second 
expedition was sent against the Indians, and several of 
their villages were destroyed. Tecumseh, having joined 
the English in the war which broke out soon afterward, 
was made a general in their service. 

WAR OF 1812. 

4. War was declared against Great Britain the 18th 
day of Sixth month (June), 1812. Congress was far from 
being unanimous in its favor, less than two-thirds of the 
members voting for the measure. Only five days after- 
ward, England, not having heard of the declaration of war, 
repealed its obnoxious Orders in Council. But the Presi- 
dent had already called out the army. He appointed 
General Dearborn the commander-in-chief. 

5. Invasion of Canada. — General Hull, at Detroit, crossed 
to the Canada side of the Detroit River, with the intention 
of seizing a British fort there. Alarmed at some successes 
of Tecumseh's Indians, he returned to Detroit, where, 
being besieged by the British general Proctor, he was 
forced to surrender. A second American army crossed 
the Niagara River into Canada, but, at a battle fought at 
Queenstown, these also surrendered to the British. 

6. Naval Engagements. — During the first year of the war 
there were several engagements upon the Atlantic between 
the war- vessels of the two nations, in most of which the 
Americans had the advantage. JOetters of marque were also 
issued to vessels owned by private individuals, giving them 



148 



History of the United States. 



[1813 



permission to depredate upon the commerce and navy of 
Britain. As many as 250 British vessels were taken by 
these American privateers in the year 1812. This species 
of piracy was abolished by European nations in 1856. 

7. Battles on and near Lake Erie. — The American army 
at the beginning of 1813 was disposed in three divisions: 
one near Lake Champlain, a second near the east end of 
Lake Erie, and the third near its west end. At French- 




Offl 



CAMDABOEDEB 

mR 01 1812. 



town, south of Detroit, a body of the Americans were sur- 
prised by British and Indians and obliged to surrender. 
Many of the wounded were massacred, and the village was 
set on fire. General Harrison's force at Fort Meigs, on 
the Miami, was also besieged, and many of his men killed 
in an ambuscade ; but the British retreated. 

8. Later in the year 1 813, an American fleet, under Com- 
modore Perry, captured the British squadron near the west 



1813] War of 1812. 149 

end of the lake. This allowed General Harrison to occupy 
Detroit and advance into Canada. In a battle on the river 
Thames between his army and the allied British and In- 
dians under General Proctor, the latter were defeated and 
Tecumseh killed. At the east end of the lake, the British 
general Prevost captured Niagara, and burnt several 
settlements on the American side, among them being 
Buffalo, then a mere village. These deeds were done in 
retaliation for the burning of a Canadian village by 
Americans. 

9. Red Jacket and Cornplanter were two noted chiefs of 
the tribe of Senecas. That tribe and the others of the 
Six Nations took part with the Americans in their contest 
with the British, lied Jacket was a great orator, but he 
was often under the influence of liquor obtained from the 
white men. He was opposed to the missionaries, because 
the practice of so many of the whites was so different from 
what they preached. Whilst Red Jacket engaged actively 
in the war, Cornplanter, who was of a peaceable disposi- 
tion, devoted himself to efforts for the improvement of his 
people. He always refused liquor, and welcomed the mis- 
sionaries, though he did not himself profess the religion of 
the whites. 

10. Naval Encounters of 1813. — There were several fierce 
engagements on the ocean between war-vessels of the hos- 
tile powers. In one of these, between the American ship 
Hornet and the British war-sloop Peacock, the latter was 
captured, but it sank while the wounded were being re- 
moved. In another, which happened off Portland Harbor, 
between the Enterprise and the Boxer, both commanders 
were killed, and were taken to Portland for burial. 

11. Jackson and the Creeks. — Influenced by a chief 
named Weatherford, the Creek Indians of Alabama now 
followed the example of Tecumseh in trying to rid the 

13* 



150 History of the United States. [1814 

country of the whites. Fort Minims, near Mobile, was 
surprised by this tribe, and the garrison of over 200, with 
women and children, were massacred. General Jackson 
and others, at the head of a large body of militia, advanced 
into their country, defeating them in several battles. Finally, 
at the Horse-Shoe Bend of the Tallapoosa, a body of about 
1000 of them were surrounded, and the larger part of 
them killed, the whites rivalling the red men in their 
methods of slaughter. The Creeks then gave up the larger 
part of their territory to the United States. 

12. Battles near Niagara. — With the downfall of Napo- 
leon, the British government, in 1814, was enabled to send 
a larger force of troops to Canada. In the summer of that 
year, an American army, under Generals Brown and Scott, 
crossed the Niagara River and captured the British post at 
Fort Erie. The Americans were also successful in other 
battles fought on the Chippewa River and at Lundy's Lane, 
near the great cataract, but the sacrifice of life was very great. 

13. Engagement on Lake Champlain. — The British gen- 
eral Prevost invaded the territory of the United States by 
"way of the west side of Lake Champlain. While besieging 
the town of Plattsburg, a naval battle took place near by, 
on the lake, the British being defeated and their fleet cap- 
tured by the American squadron, under Commander Mac- 
donough. Prevost thereupon retreated into Canada. 

14. Advance on Washington and Baltimore. — To effect 
the capture of the national capital, a British fleet, under 
Admiral Cochrane, entered the Chesapeake and ascended 
both the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers. The Americans 
burnt their squadron to prevent its being captured. The 
British then landed an army, and, defeating the militia at 
Bladensburg, entered Washington, where they burnt the 
capitol and other public buildings. Re-embarking on their 
fleet, the British sailed up the Chesapeake, designing to 



1815] War 0/ 1812. 151 

attack Baltimore ; but the force which they landed was 
repulsed, whilst Fort McHenry resisted their attempts at 
capture. The British commander then withdrew his fleet. 

15. Hartford Convention. — Near the close of the year 
1814, an important convention of delegates from several 
of the New England States was held at Hartford. Many 
of them were opposed to the war, some from self-interest 
or party feeling, others because they believed the war un- 
necessary. Seven amendments to the Constitution were 
proposed. One of these provided that a two-thirds vote 
of both houses of Congress should be required to make 
war. A second, that no one should hold the office of 
President more than one term. A third, that representa- 
tives should be apportioned among the States according to 
the number of free persons only. The proposed amend- 
ments were submitted to the several States, but, being 
concurred in by only three of them, were not adopted. 

16. Battle of New Orleans. — At the beginning of 1815, 
a large British squadron, having entered the Gulf of Mexico, 
approached New Orleans on the east side by way of Lake 
Borgne. The Americans, who were under the command 
of General Jackson, had been informed of the intended 
attack, and intrenched themselves behind a long parapet of 
earth and cotton-bales. The British, under General Paken- 
ham, made several attempts to dislodge the American force, 
but were defeated with great loss, and retired to their ships. 
The Americans had been so effectually protected by their 
intrenchments that they suffered the loss of but 13 men, 
killed and wounded. 

17. Peace Declared. — As early as 1813, the Emperor 
Alexander of Russia agreed to mediate between Great 
Britain and the United States. The President accordingly 
sent three commissioners to Europe, — John Quincy Adams, 
Albert Gallatin, and James Bayard. But, as England pre- 



152 History of the United States. [1815 

ferred to treat directly with the United States, without 
the mediation of Russia, negotiations were entered into at 
Ghent, and a treaty concluded near the end of 1814. The 
battle of New Orleans occurred after the treaty was signed, 
but before information of the fact reached this country. 

18. Results of the War. — Great rejoicing ensued through- 
out the country when this unpopular war was brought to 
a close. The treaty, however, did not even provide for 
settling the matter of impressment, which was the chief 
cause of the war, whilst a better understanding upon the 
matter could have been secured before there was any fight- 
ing. Each of the contestants agreed to restore to the other 
the places which they had captured and occupied. 

19. War with Algiers. — Peace had no sooner been made 
with England, than war was declared with Algiers. That 
country, like Tripoli, had been guilty of depredating upon 
American commerce, and exacting tribute. Two fleets, 
under Commodores Bainbridge and Decatur, were sent to 
the Mediterranean. The Dey of Algiers submitted, whilst 
Tunis and Tripoli agreed to observe the former treaties 
which had been made with them. 

20. Liberia. — The American Colonization Society was 
organized in 1816, Henry Clay being its first president. 
The design of this society was to promote the founding of 
a colony in Africa, to which free blacks could be removed, 
and where they would have good opportunities for self- 
improvement. The tract of land first selected proved to 
be unsuitable; but in 1821 the territory called Liberia was 
chosen, and a republican form of government was adopted. 
Much aid to the enterprise was contributed by England. ' 
The colored emigrants from the United States to Liberia 
have never exceeded 800 in one year. Coffee and palm-oil 
are the chief exports of the African republic. 



1817] Monroe's Administration. 153 

21. Banks and Monetary Distress. — When the charter of 
the first Bank of the United States expired in 1811, many 
State banks were established to supply the demand for 
ready money. During the war of 1812, when specie pay- 
ments were suspended, there was a great increase in the 
volume of paper money. Not only the States, but cities, 
counties, and private individuals, issued their notes, bills, 
and tickets. 

22. So much confusion in money affairs ensued, that 
Congress chartered (1816) the second Bank of the United 
States, with a capital of 35 million dollars. It was to con- 
tinue in existence for twenty years only, and its notes were 
to take the place of the others of all sorts which were in 
circulation. During several years there was much distress 
throughout the country. The prices of land, produce, and 
manufactured articles fell, and a great many farms, as well 
as other kinds of property, passed into the hands of those 
who had claims against them. 

MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION. 1817-1825. 

23. James Monroe, of Virginia, Madison's successor, also 
held the presidency during two terms. The fact that four 
of the first five Presidents of the United States were from 
Virginia, earned for that State the distinction of "the 
mother of Presidents." The political feeling was so much 
more quiet than it had been previously, that this period 
was spoken of as " the era of good feeling." Monroe was 
of a conciliatory disposition, as was shown by the efforts 
he had made to prevent war with England. After his in- 
auguration in 1817, he visited all the Northern and Eastern 
States, and was cordially received. 

24. The Naval Force on the Great Lakes was a subject 
which next claimed the joint attention of Great Britain and 
the United States. An agreement was promptly entered 



154 History of the United States. [1817 

into between them, that on Lakes Ontario and Champlain 
but one armed vessel should be kept in service by either 
party, and that on either Lake Erie, Huron, or Superior 
no more than two such should be maintained by each 
nation, and those to be armed with a single gun only. 
Neither nation has ever regretted that its fleets upon those 
waters were so nearly abolished. 

25. The First Seminole War.— In the latter part of 1817, 
a company of United States soldiers proceeded to remove 
some military stores from the territory of Florida, which 
was still a Spanish possession. The troops, in passing 
through the Seminole country of lower Georgia and Florida, 
fell into an ambuscade, and all but six of their company 
were killed. General Jackson marched against the tribe, 
drove them southward, and took possession of the Spanish 
forts at St. Mark's and Pensacola. Two Englishmen, who 
were tried for inciting the Indians to make war, were found 
guilty, and were hanged. " » 

26. Florida Purchased from Spain. — It being evident 
that the ownership of Florida by Spain would be likely to 
occasion frequent disputes between that country and the 
United States, a treaty for its purchase by us was ratified 
in 1821. The sum agreed to be paid was five million 
dollars. Its territory was divided into two districts or 
counties ; the one east of the Suwanee River being called 
St. John's, and that west of it Escambia. Florida was not 
admitted into the Union as a State until 1845. 

27. The Missouri Compromise. — In the year 1820, the 
Territory of Missouri petitioned Congress to be admitted 
into the Union. As provision had been made that the 
States formed from the North-West Territory were to be 
admitted into the Union as free States, the South claimed 
that slavery ought to be allowed in Missouri. The value 
of the African in the work of cultivating: the cotton- 



1822] Monroe's Administration. 155 



fields of the South had gradually inclined the people there 
to look upon the system with more favor than formerly. 
Washington, Jefferson, and Patrick Henry had all desired 
to see its extinction. 

28. The result of the long and bitter debate in Congress 
between the two sections was the following compromise : 
(1) that Missouri should be admitted without any restric- 
tion as to slavery ; and (2) that in the future no slave State 
should be erected out of United States territory north of 
the parallel of 36° 30', — that being Missouri's southern 
boundary. 

29. Admission of Missouri. — The Constitution which 
had been framed for Missouri also gave rise to a great deal 
of discussion in Congress, because it prohibited free negroes 
or mulattoes from coming into the State. But this clause 
was finally stricken out, as being opposed to the provision 
of the Federal Constitution, which declares "that the citi- 
zens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and 
immunities of the citizens of the several States." Missouri 
was then (1821) admitted into the Union. Its chief city, 
St. Louis, was built on the site of a trading-post established 
in 1763 by a Frenchman, La Clede. He had been given 
a monopoly of the fur-trade of the upper Mississippi and 
Missouri Rivers. 

30. The Slave-Trade Condemned. — Both Great Britain 
and the United States had declared against participation in 
the African slave-trade, in the year 1807. Four years later, 
an act was passed by Great Britain inflicting the penalty 
of transportation or imprisonment at hard labor upon those 
found guilty of taking part in it. At last, in 1822, at a 
convention held in London between commissioners of the 
two countries, it was agreed that the slave-traders were to 
be treated as pirates, and that their vessels might be seized 
and condemned by the officers of either nation. 



156 History of the United States. [1823 

31. " The Monroe Doctrine" is the name applied to the 
national policy as it was announced by President Monroe 
in his message to Congress in 1823. The South American 
republics having been then recently formed, the President 
declared that any attempt by Europeans to oppress or con- 
trol them would be taken as an unfriendly manifestation 
toward the United States. He further declared that, as 
America's policy was not to entangle itself in the political 
broils of Europe, the attempt to extend the monarchical 
system " to any portion of this hemisphere would be dan- 
gerous to our peace and safety." 

J. Q. ADAMS'S ADMINISTRATION. 1825-1829. 

32. John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts, the son of 
John Adams, was chosen the sixth President of the United 
States. There were four candidates voted for by the people, 
but, as none of them received a majority of all the votes 
cast, the election was left to be decided in the House of 
Representatives. Adams's chief opponent was General 
Jackson, who exhibited a very quarrelsome disposition 
during the exciting canvass. Adams was much milder in 
speech and action. In his inaugural address he appealed 
to the men of all parties to lay aside their political animosi- 
ties, and to cultivate those virtues aud principles which 
become a free and enlightened people. 

33. Internal Improvements. — When first considered. — 
Soon after the close of the war of 1812, the subject of 
constructing national roads and improving the navigation 
of the great rivers began to be much talked of. There 
were many persons who thought that this work ought to be 
done at the cost of the whole country, — that is to say, by 
order of Congress. In 1817, during Madison's adminis- 
tration, Congress recommended the construction of several 
military and post roads, and canals, but no action was then 
taken. 



1825] John Quincy Adams's Administration. . 157 

34. Declared Constitutional. — Next, during Monroe's 
administration, the subject was frequently debated in Con- 
gress whether that body had the power, under the Consti- 
tution, to grant money for the construction of roads and 
canals and the improvement of the watercourses. It being 
finally concluded that Congress possessed such power, sur- 
veys and estimates for certain large works were accordingly 
authorized. 

35. Works ordered. — Under President J. Q. Adams, who 
decidedly favored these internal improvements, work upon 
several of the projects was begun. These were the canal 
across the State of Delaware, connecting the Chesapeake 
and Delaware Bays; the Louisville and Portland Canal, 
at the Falls of the Ohio ; and the Dismal Swamp Canal, 
in Virginia. Surveys were also made for a road from 
Washington to New Orleans, besides other works. 

36. Canals authorized by States. — The construction of 
canals and other internal improvements was, however, 
mostly left to the States. In some cases the States built 
such works at their own expense, but in most instances 
charters were granted by the Legislatures to incorporated 
companies to construct and control them. 

37. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal had its origin in a 
project of General Washington's, to improve the navigation 
of the Potomac River, and, by the use of common roads, 
to connect with the streams flowing into the Ohio. Wash- 
ington was appointed president of the company ; but, many 
difficulties being met with, the original project was given 
up, and in 1820 a canal was authorized to be built. It 
was not completed from Cumberland to Georgetown until 
1850. The Erie Canal, from Albany to Buffalo, was con- 
structed during the eight years of Monroe's administration, 
from 1817 to 1825. 

38. The Pennsylvania system of canals, connecting Phila- 

14 



158 



History of the United States. 



[1825 



delphia with Pittsburg and Lake Erie, was completed a 
little later than the Erie Canal. Monroe's administration 
also witnessed the construction of those great water-ways, 
the Delaware and Hudson Canal, and that of the Schuyl- 
kill Coal and Navigation Company. By means of these, 
Pennsylvania's coal-product was readily delivered at tide- 
water. 

39. Steamboats. — The first steamboat constructed in the 




Fitch's Delaware Biver Steamboat, 1790. 

United States to carry passengers was built at Philadelphia 
(in 1787 to 1790) by John Fitch. The motive power was 
a low-pressure engine, and the boat was propelled by paddles 
suspended at the sides ; afterward, by paddles at the stern. 
Oliver Evans, of the same city, in 1804, first practically 
applied to a boat the high-pressure engine ; but this craft 
was used merely for dock-dredging purposes. The first 
really successful application of the power was that of Robert 
Fulton. His boat, the Clermont, a small side-wheel steamer, 
in 1807 ascended the Hudson from New York to Albany. 
Improvements made in 1815 by Robert L. Stevens, re- 



1826] John Qidncy Adams's Administration. 159 

salted in securing a higher rate of speed. In 1838, the 
first ocean steamship from England, the Sirius, arrived in 
the harbor of New York. 

40. Railroads. — Horse Power. — The first railroad in the 
United States was constructed during John Quincy Adams's 
administration, in 1826. It connected the town of Quincy, 
Massachusetts, with Neponset, and was but three miles in 
length. It was built to supply the granite for Bunker Hill 
Monument. The cars were drawn by horses. A railway 
was built the next year, 1827, at Mauch Chunk, Pennsyl- 
vania, the cars being raised by horse-power to the summit 
of the mountain, and descending by gravity. In 1828, 
twelve miles of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were 
built and operated as a passenger railway. 

41. Steam Power. — In the same year, the first locomotive 
engine used in America (but built in England by Stephen- 
son) was run upon a short road of the Delaware and Hud- 
son Canal Company, connecting with their mines. At the 
West Point foundry, New York, the first American-built 
locomotive was constructed. It was operated on the South 
Carolina Railway in 1831. The first of the Pacific Rail- 
roads, the "Union" and the "Central," running from 
Omaha, Nebraska, to San Francisco, California, were built 
between 1866 and 1868. 

42. Decease of Ex-Presidents. — A memorable and solemn 
event occurred on the 4th day of the Seventh month (July), 
1826, while the people were celebrating the 50th anniver- 
sary of the nation's independence. On that day expired 
both John Adams'and Thomas Jefferson. These ex-Presi- 
dents had stood at the head of the two opposing political 
parties ; but they had also been previously associated in 
preparing the Declaration of Independence. It was a 
further remarkable coincidence, that on the same day of the 
next year the death of ex-President Monroe occurred. 



160 History of the United States. ['825 

43. Georgia, the Government, and the Creeks. — There 
had been a compact entered into between the United States 
government and the State of Georgia, that the government 
should pay the Indians for their lands in that State, as 
soon as they could be purchased. The words in the com- 
pact were, " as early as the said lands could be peaceably 
obtained upon reasonable terms." Previous to 1825, the 
government had purchased from the Creeks more than one- 
half of their territory, but, after that, the tribe began to 
prize their lands and homes more highly. 

44. Treaty of Indian Springs. — Nevertheless, at a council 
held at Indian Springs, in 1825, a small portion of the 
Creeks agreed to sell the lands of the whole tribe to the 
government. Although the Indians who signed the treaty 
belonged to but 8 villages or towns, whilst those of 48 
villages had nothing to tlo with it, yet the government 
accepted and ratified the treaty. 

45. The Creeks lose their Lands. — The majority of the 
Indians were highly exasperated upon hearing that the 
treaty of Indian Springs had been ratified. Yet the State 
of Georgia at once commissioned 100 surveyors to lay out 
the lands for which the government had so unfairly ob- 
tained the title. Two years later, all of this territory was 
disposed of for settlement by lottery. The Creeks having 
lost their homes, the government made another treaty with 
them, agreeing to give the chiefs and warriors a considerable 
sum of money, and to pay the tribe thereafter an annuity 
of $20,000. 

46. The- Tariff. — During the war of 1812, when foreign 
gooels could not readily be brought into the country, many 
mills were erected, especially in Rhode Island. When the 
war ceased, English goods began again to find their way 
hither, and hence our manufacturers asked that a duty, 
or tariff, should be laid upon goods imported. This was 



1829] Jackson's Administration. 161 

granted. Now, in 1828, Congress enacted a new tariff law, 
to encourage home manufactures, and heavier duties were 
laid on foreign iron, wool, hemp, spirits, etc. 

47. Protection and Free Trade. — There being but few 
manufactories at the South, the people of that section were 
dissatisfied with the tariff, because of the higher prices they 
had to pay for their goods. This question therefore divided 
the political parties in choosing another President. The 
advocates of a tariff were those who desired protection to 
home manufactures; those who were opposed to this pro- 
tection, of course, were the advocates of free trade. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF JACKSON AND VAN BUREN. 
JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 18291837. 

1. Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, was the choice of the 
people for President to succeed Adams; John C. Calhoun, 
of South Carolina, was elected Vice-President. Jackson 
and Calhoun had been the candidates nominated by the 
free-trade party. The administration of Jackson was 
marked by a general removal of office-holders for party 
reasons. During his eight years' presidency, he removed 
ten times as many persons from office as all the Presidents 
had who preceded him. 

2. Removal of the Cherokees. — Cherokee Georgia. — The 
north-western part of Georgia was the home of the tribe 
of Cherokees. After the Creeks had lost their lands, the 
people of Georgia began to covet the possessions of the 
Cherokees also. This tribe had a printed constitution and 

/ 14* 



162 History of the United States. [1831 

code of laws of their own, and, by solemn treaties, the 
American government had agreed that they should not be 
disturbed in their homes or in the right to govern them- 
selves. 

3. The Lands Divided. — The Georgians were not able to 
influence Congress against the Cherokees during; Adams's 
administration, for that President did not favor the meas- 
ure. When Jackson came into office, they had less trouble 
in carrying out their designs. Aware that the white mis- 
sionaries among the Cherokees were opposed to the removal 
of the tribe, a bill was passed by the Legislature of Georgia, 
forbidding the missionaries to go upon the Indian lands. 
In 1831, by order of the governor, the Cherokee lands 
were surveyed ; the next year they were disposed of by 
lottery; and the year following they were divided, and 
organized as ten counties of the State of Georgia. 

4. The Removal. — As in the case of the Creeks, a treaty 
was also made with the Cherokees which was not acceptable 
to the majority of the tribe. The principal chief, John 
Ross, was decidedly opposed to it. The tribe did indeed 
receive a large sum of money for their lands, but they were 
averse to giving up their homes. It was agreed that they 
should remove west of the Mississippi River, to a tract 
which the government promised "should in no future time 
be included within the limits of any State or Territory." 
In the spring of 1838, the militia gathered the Cherokees 
into companies, and the removal began. The journey oc- 
cupied five months, and though the exiles were not harshly 
treated, 4000 of them (being one-fourth of the whole num- 
ber) died before the reservation was reached. 

5. The Chickasaws and Choctaws in Alabama and Mis- 
sissippi, after making considerable progress in civilization, 
lost their lands in nearly the same manner as the Creeks 
and Cherokees. They were removed west of the Missis- 



1832] Jackson's Administration. 1G3 

sippi to the Indian Territory, and settled upon lands near 
the other two tribes. Still later, the remnant of the Semi- 
noles, from Florida, were moved to the same neighborhood. 
These five tribes are frequently spoken of as " the five 
civilized tribes of the Indian Territory." 

6. Nullification in South Carolina. — The passage of a 
tariff law by Congress, in 1832, increasing the duties upon 
many articles, caused much dissatisfaction in the cotton- 
growing States. In South Carolina open resistance was 
made to the collection of the duties, and a nullification 
ordinance was passed. This ordinance declared the law of 
Congress unconstitutional, and that the government had no 
authority to enforce it. President Jackson issued a procla- 
mation declaring that the law would have to be obeyed, 
whilst Calhoun, the Vice-President, resigned, and was at 
once elected to the Senate from South Carolina. The gov- 
ernor of that State then issued a proclamation in opposition 
to that of the President, and the Legislature passed laws 
looking toward secession. The troops were also called out. 

7. The Debate in Congress. — Meanwhile, in Congress, the 
doctrines of nullification and the right of a State to secede 
were warmly debated. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, 
and Henry Clay, of Kentucky, were the prominent speakers 
on that occasion. The trouble Mas finally settled by the 
passage of a "compromise bill," which was introduced by 
Henry Clay. It provided for a gradual reduction of the 
impost duty during the succeeding ten years. 

8. The United States Bank, by its charter, was the legal 
depository of the public funds, but President Jackson, 
deeming them unsafe there, issued an order for their re- 
moval to certain State banks. The Secretary of the Treas- 
ury, refusing to obey the order, was dismissed by the Pres- 
ident, and another person appointed in his place. The 
collectors being forbidden to deposit the funds in the Bank 



104 



History of the United States. 



[1836 



of the United States, that institution failed (1836), and 
great financial distress followed. 

9. Black-Hawk War. — When the Galena lead-mines 
were discovered, the lands of the Winnebagoes of Wiscon- 
sin, and of the Sacs and Foxes of Illinois, were overrun by 
the miners, much to the displeasure of the Indian owners. 




The Everglades. 



Several of the whites were murdered by them, and troops 
were at once sent into their territory. A number of battles 
were fought, and a noted chief, Black Hawk, and others 
were taken prisoners. Having been brought to the princi- 
pal Eastern cities, to show them the power of their captors, 



1836] Jackson's Administration. 165 

the conquered chiefs then made a treaty ceding their ten 
million acres of land to the government for an annuity and 
a yearly supply of provisions. 

10. Second Seminole War. — The Seminoles of lower 
Georgia and Florida had refused to emigrate to the lands 
set apart for them beyond the Mississippi. In 1835, troops 
were sent against them. Many of these soldiers perished 
in ambuscades, and others died of the miasma of the 
swamps. The Seminoles retreated to the Everglades, and 
were enabled during seven years to continue the war. 
Osceola, a noted chief, was captured, and confined in Fort 
Moultrie, where he died of a fever. This war cost the 
government 30 million dollars, and involved the loss of 
many lives. 

11. The Meteoric Shower of 1833, the most remarkable 
display of the kind on record, was visible over all the United 
States, a part of Mexico, and the West Indies. The shoot- 
ing stars fell in great numbers, like snow-flakes, leaving 
phosphorescent lines' along their course. There also fell, at 
intervals, large fire-balls, whose luminous -trains remained 
visible for several minutes, or even half an hour or more. 
One, seen in North Carolina, appeared of larger size and 
greater brilliancy than the moon. In the neighborhood of 
the cataract of Niagara, the display was particularly bril- 
liant. In many quarters much alarm was manifested at the 
spectacle, the people believing that this falling of the stars 
from heaven betokened the coming of some great calamity. 

12. Great Fires. — A great fire which occurred in the city 
of New York, in 1835, destroyed the principal buildings 
in the commercial part of the city. It involved a loss of 
17 million dollars. Of other destructive fires since that of 
1835, may be mentioned those at Philadelphia in 1850, at 
Portland in 18GG, at Chicago in 1871, and at Boston in 
1872. 



166 History of the United States. [1837 

13. Arkansas, which was set off from Missouri as a sep- 
arate Territory in 1819, was admitted into the Union in 
1836. The population increased very slowly until after 
1850, when many planters from the lower Atlantic and 
Gulf States took up land for the growing of cotton. It 
has a large area excellently adapted for that crop. 

VAN BUREN'S ADMINISTRATION. 1837-1841. 

14. The Panic of 1837.— Martin Van Buren, of New 
York, succeeded Jackson. His administration is chiefly 
memorable for the great panic of 1837, the results of 
which were felt throughout all his term of office. The • 
national debt had been entirely paid off, but when the 
United States Bank failed, a great many State banks sprang 
into existence. While these State banks were issuing their 
notes in abundance, the public lands were offered for sale. 

15. A period of wild speculation resulted, only to be fol- 
lowed by the usual disastrous reaction. As an order had 
been issued that the purchasers of public lands must pay 
for them in specie, the banks were not able to meet the 
demands upon them for coin, and, consequently, suspended. 
This prostrated the business of the country, the great im- 
provements ceased, and failures followed one another in 
quick succession. 

16. Relief Measures. — As the failures of the banks re- 
sulted in embarrassment to the government, President Van 
Buren was obliged to call an extra session of Congress. An 
issue of treasury notes was authorized by that body. A 
bill was also proposed for the establishment of an inde- 
pendent treasury and sub-treasuries, but it did not become 
a law until several years later. 

17. A Rebellion in Canada against the British govern- 
ment broke out in 1837. Citizens of Vermont and New 
York took part with the insurgents; but the President 



1841] Harrison's and Tyler's Administrations. 1G7 

promptly issued a proclamation advising the violators of 
the law to return to their homes. The order was heeded ; 
the insurrection quickly died out, and the United States 
was saved from a serious difficulty with Great Britain. 

18. Wilkes Exploring Expedition. — A notable expedition, 
designed to make researches in the Antarctic regions, was 
fitted out at government expense in 1838. It comprised 
six vessels, which were placed under the command of Lieu- 
tenant Charles Wilkes. Numerous islands in the Pacific 
were discovered, and 1700 miles of the Antarctic continent 
mapped. After an absence of four years, the expedition 
returned. The account of their geographical discoveries 
and researches in science was afterward published in five 
lar^e volumes. 



CHAPTER XX. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF HARRISON, TYLER, AND POLK. 
HARRISON AND TYLER. 18411 845. 

1. William Henry Harrison, of Ohio, who had been gov- 
ernor of Indiana Territory, was chosen by the Whig party 
to succeed Van Buren. John Tyler, of Virginia, was 
elected Vice-President. The Whigs were nearly the same 
in politics as were the Federalists, whom they succeeded ; 
the Democrats, or Free-Traders, remaining the other prin- 
cipal political party. Harrison at once called a special 
session of Congress, but, being taken suddenly ill, he died 
just a month after his inauguration. Vice-President Tyler 
succeeded him. 

2. Tyler's Opposition to a National Bank. — It had been 
the general supposition, when Tyler was elected, that he 
favored the establishment of a national bank ; but, upon 



168 History of the United States. [1841 

Congress passing a bill to charter such a bank, the Presi- 
dent vetoed it. A second bill, somewhat modified, also 
received his veto. All the members of his cabinet, except 
Daniel Webster, the Secretary of State, at once resigned 
their places. Meanwhile, Congress had repealed the Sub- 
Treasury Act, as it was thought the locking up of so much 
of the public funds injured the business of the country. 

3. The Ashburton Treaty received its name from the 
British minister, Lord Ashburton, who was sent to this 
country to settle the question of the North-Eastern bound- 
ary. Commissioners from Maine and Massachusetts con- 
ferred with the British minister and Daniel Webster at 
Washington, and the boundary line between Maine and 
New Brunswick was soon arranged. Other important 
matters settled by the treaty were : the rendition of fugi- 
tives from justice ; the keeping of armed vessels on the 
coast of Africa to suppress the slave-trade ; and the contro- 
versy which arose about the Canadian border disturbance 
of 1837. 

4. Annexation of Texas. — Irruptions by Americans. — The 
Mexican province of Texas was coveted by the people of 
the Southern States for many years before it was actually 
annexed to this country. As early as 1819, adventurers 
from Mississippi, entering the territory, called upon the 
people to join the American Union, but they were driven 
out by the Spaniards. In 1821, Moses Austin, of Missouri, 
obtained permission from the Spanish authorities to intro- 
duce 300 Catholic families into Texas. Austin soon died, 
but his son settled a slave-holding colony on the Rio 
Brazos. 

5. Texas Independent of Mexico. — In 1824, Mexico be- 
came a republic free from the control of Spain, and, five 
years later, passed a decree manumitting every slave in its 
territory. This act disappointed many of our pro-slavery 



1845] Poltis Administration. 169 

people, who had wished to forcibly annex Texas, and offers 
were now made for its purchase. These offers being de- 
clined by Mexico, the plan of colonizing Texas with Ameri- 
can settlers was then adopted. In 1836, the number of 
these settlers had become so considerable that the people 
declared their independence of Mexico, and passed an act 
establishing slavery forever in the province. 

6. Texas Finally Annexed. — Santa Anna, who had made 
himself dictator of Mexico, demanded that Texas should 
return to its allegiance; but, in the dispute which followed, 
he was taken prisoner. In the same year, 1836, General 
Samuel Houston was made president of the independent 
State of Texas, and in 1845, during Tyler's administration, 
it was annexed to the United States. Our treatment of 
Mexico, during that period, will always remain a blot upon 
the political record of this nation. 

7. The Suffrage Dispute in Rhode Island. — By the old 
colonial charter of Rhode Island, the right to vote was 
allowed to property-owners only. Many of the people 
wished to remove the restriction, and in 1842 they were 
successful in electing their candidate for governor. In order 
to maintain his position, this governor (Dorr) took posses- 
sion of the State arsenal ; but, the militia and United States 
troops being called out, Dorr was arrested, tried for treason, 
and imprisoned. A new and more liberal Constitution was 
then adopted by the people. [Refer back to page 72.] 

POLK'S ADMINISTRATION. 1845-1849. 

8. North-Western Boundary. — James K. Polk, of Ten- 
nessee, the candidate of the Pro-Slavery party and the 
party of annexation, succeeded Tyler as President. The 
subject of the North-West boundary line between our 
territory and the British possessions was the occasion of 
much excitement in the country, so that a war for a while 

15 



170 History of the United States. [1846 

threatened. The North-Eastern boundary, it will be re- 
membered, had been settled by the Ash burton treaty 
during Tyler's administration. The Northern boundary 
was settled previous to that, in 1822, and was declared to 
run from the north line of New York, up the middle of 
the St. Lawrence River, and through the middle of Lakes 
Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Superior. The North-Western 
boundary, or the continuation of the line from the west end 
of Lake Superior to the Pacific, was the portion now in 
dispute. 

9. British and American Claims. — The claim of the 
United States to Oregon was founded on the fact that the 
Columbia River had been entered and named by an Ameri- 
can trader in 1792; that the Pacific coast territory, north 
of California, was really part of the Louisiana purchase of 
1803; that the government explorers, Lewis and Clarke, 
in 1804, had visited the head-streams of the Missouri and 
descended the Columbia; and that, in 1811, the fur-trading 
post of Astoria, founded by John Jacob Astor, had been 
built at the mouth of that river. 

10. But British subjects had also established settlements 
on the Columbia and Frazer Rivers. By agreement, both 
nations occupied the Oregon Territory during a number of 
years. Finally, in 1846, the 49th degree of north latitude 
was agreed upon as the international boundary line, — the 
same as at present. 

11. Iowa was received into the Union in 1846. The 
French explorers Marquette and Joliet were the first white 
men who trod its soil. They landed at an Indian village 
called by the natives Moingona, a name which the French 
altered into Des Moines. Dubuque, a Canadian, owned a 
trading-post within the limits of the State, about the year 
1788; but the first permanent settlement was made at Bur- 
lino-ton in 1833. 



1847] Polk's Administration. 171 

War with Mexico. 

12. Cause of the War. — Having annexed Texas, the Pro- 
Slavery party in Congress was anxious that the United 
States should also possess the Mexican provinces known as 
California and New Mexico. Our government had certain 
claims for damages against Mexico, and sent an envoy, 
Slidell, to demand a settlement. As he was not promptly 
received, General Taylor was ordered in the spring of 1846 
to proceed with an army to the Rio Grande. But the 
Nueces River, east of the Rio Grande, was claimed by the 
Mexicans as the Texan boundary. They therefore charged 
the United States troops with invading their territory. 

13. Beginning of the War. — A Mexican army, stationed 
at Matamoras, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, crossed 
that river and engaged the American troops under General 
Taylor. At Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, the Mexi- 
cans were defeated, and Taylor, crossing to the south side 
of the Rio Grande, occupied Matamoras. The party of 
annexation in Congress, rejoicing that the Mexicans had 
been provoked to strike the first blow, was then enabled 
to secure the passage of a declaration of war. 

14. Progress of the War. — The Oregon boundary trouble 
having just been settled, those who favored the war felt 
sure there would now be no interference with their plans 
by Great Britain. General Taylor advanced to Monterey, 
and, after a three days' struggle, captured the place. Santa 
Anna, who was in command of a second Mexican army, 
attacked Taylor's force near Buena Vista, but was repulsed 
with great loss. 

15. March on the Mexican Capital. — Early in 1847, Gen- 
eral Winfield Scott, being appointed commander-in-chief 
of the American forces, landed an army near Vera Cruz, 
and at once invested the place. After a fierce bombard- 
ment of several days, during which many of the women 



172 



History of the United States. 



[1847 



and children of the place were slain, the city capitulated. 
Scott then advanced, in the track of the conqueror Cortez, 
toward the Mexican capital. Defeating the armies of his 
opponents at Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and other places, he 
entered the city of Mexico early in the autumn of 1847. 

16. New Mexico Occupied. — While Scott was thus forcing 
his way to the capital, an army under General Kearney 




set out from Missouri, and, crossing the plains, reached 
Santa Fe in New Mexico, which they occupied without 
opposition. Kearney issued a proclamation declaring him- 
self governor of the province, and its inhabitants no longer 
Mexican subjects. 

17. California Occupied. — The third part of the war- 



1848] Polk's Administration. 173 

scheme was to occupy California. A small party of Ameri- 
cans, under Captain Fremont, who had been exploring in 
the Rocky Mountain region, made their way over the 
Sierra Nevada range into California. Uniting with the few 
American settlers there, and receiving the assistance of part 
of the Pacific fleet of Commodore Stockton, California was 
quickly in their possession. 

18. A Trea.ty with Mexico, called the treaty of Gua- 
dalupe Hidalgo, was signed in 1848. New Mexico and 
California were ceded to the United States, and the Rio 
Grande was made the boundary between Mexico and Texas. 
Nevada and Utah were parts of this purchase. The United 
States agreed to pay Mexico, for the 545,000 square miles 
of territory comprised in the cession, the sum of 15 mil- 
lion dollars. In addition to this, our government agreed to 
settle the claims for damages said to be owiny; to our citizens, 
amounting to the sum of 3J million dollars. 

19. Cost of the War. — The money cost of the Mexican 
war itself was about 100 million dollars. Although few 
of the Americans were killed in battle, yet thousands of 
them died of the vomito and other diseases. In the city 
of Mexico, for a while, the deaths among the Americans 
were 1000 a month. The territory acquired by the war 
could have been obtained at a far less cost in money by 
negotiation, whilst thousands of lives would have been 
saved, and great evils avoided. 

20. The Wilmot Proviso.— Whilst the treaty for the ac- 
quisition of California and New Mexico was being debated 
in Congress, a proposition was introduced by David Wil- 
mot, of Pennsylvania, respecting slavery in those territories. 
The " Wilmot Proviso" declared that slavery should be for- 
bidden in any territory ceded to this country by Mexico. 
It met with great opposition from the Pro-Slavery party, 
and failed to become a law. 

15* 



174 History of the United States. 11848 

21. The California Gold Excitement. — Gold was dis- 
covered in California in 1847, just before the treaty with 
Mexico was ratified. A laborer first observed the shining 
particles in a mill-race on one of the tributaries of the 
Sacramento River. The discovery occasioned great excite- 
ment throughout the country. Thousands of emigrants 
from the East crossed the plains to the new El Dorado, 
others went by way of Panama, and others, again, by the 
long route around Cape Horn. San Francisco at once be- 
came the favorite city and port. Silver and quicksilver, as 
well as gold, were also discovered. But for a number of 
years gambling, intemperance, and ruffianism prevailed on 
that part of the Pacific coast, whilst speculation became 
rife all over the land. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF TAYLOR, FILLMORE, PIERCE, AND 
BUCHANAN. 

TAYLOR'S AND FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATIONS. 
1849-1853. 

1. General Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, who had been 
prominent in the Mexican war, became President in 1849. 
Millard Fillmore, of New York, was chosen Vice-Presi- 
dent. The question of the admission of California as a 
State formed one of the principal subjects of Taylor's first 
message to Congress; but the President died ere the matter 
was decided. His death happened upon the same day as the 
great fire at Philadelphia, the 9th day of Seventh month 
(July), 1850. Vice-President Fillmore succeeded him. 

2. Anti-Slavery Society. — The excitement which pre- 



J 849] Fillmore's Administration. 175 

vailed throughout the United States in 1820, when the 
Missouri Compromise Act was being debated, was not re- 
newed for a number of years. The opposition to slave- 
holding, however, was increasing at the North, and, in 
1833, the Anti-Slavery Society was organized at Philadel- 
phia. Arthur Tappan was its first president. 

3. Anti-Slavery Publications. — Benjamin Lundy, in Bal- 
timore, and William Lloyd Garrison, in Philadelphia, 
issued the earliest anti-slavery papers. These publications, 
and also tracts in opposition to slavery, began to be freely 
sent to the slave-owners and others at the South during 
Jackson's administration. When that President recom- 
mended that it should be made unlawful to use the mails 
for such a purpose, intense excitement followed. At the 
North, some of the outspoken opponents of slavery were 
violently assaulted, whilst at the South, some of the post- 
offices were broken open and the unwelcome documents 
destroyed. 

4. Anti-Slavery Parties. — The few persons who at that 
time favored the utter extinction of slavery were known as 
" Abolitionists." A larger party was composed of those 
who, while they believed that the slave system was morally 
wrong and that no new slave States should be created, yet 
were willing that slavery should continue in the States 
where it then existed. These comprised the " Free-Soil" 
party. 

5. California's Free Constitution. — California increased 
so rapidly in population after the discovery of gold, that 
its people, in 1849, adopted a Constitution prohibiting 
slavery, and asked to be admitted as a State. This was a 
result of the acquisition of its territory which the Pro- 
Slavery party had not expected. The debate in Congress 
became so bitter that both the advocates of slavery and the 
opponents of that institution threatened secession.. Their 



176 



History of the United States. 



[1S50 




differences were settled for the time by the "Omnibus 
Bill." 

6. The Omnibus Bill, which was the name given to a bill 
concerning a variety of matters, was introduced by Henry 
Clay. It provided not only for the admission of Cali- 
fornia, but for the organization of the Territories of New 
Mexico and Utah without reference to slavery; the adjust- 
ment of the Texas boundary; the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia; and the enactment of a Fugitive 
Slave Law more stringent than the old 
one. Henry Clay, although an opponent 
of slavery, was willing to postpone the 
settlement of that question until some 
future time. 

7. California was then admitted into 
the Union, in 1850. The name " Cali- 
fornia" was given to the country by the 
Spaniards, the coast having been ex- 
plored as early as 1542 by Cabrillo. 
San Francisco harbor was entered in 
1579 by Sir Francis Drake. Although 
Drake called the country New Albion, 
it remained, notwithstanding its title, 
always attached to Mexico. The Franciscan friars, who had 
succeeded the expelled Jesuits in Mexico, established a mis- 
sion at San Diego in 1769. A number of similar missions 
were located along the coast. 

8. Rich though California's mines have been in precious 
ore, yet the valley of the Sacramento and other localities in 
the State have proved very valuable also for the growing 
of wheat. But thousands of acres of this rich alluvial 
land have been over-covered by the washings from the 
mines, so that the loss in the State's productive capacity 
from this cause has been great. The cultivation of the 




The Bio Treks. 



1853] Pierce's Administration. 177 

grape and other kinds of fruit, and the rearing of sheep 
for the wool, are among the important industries. The 
Big Trees of the Calaveras and Mariposa groves, and the 
Yosemite Park with its varied charms of mountain, water- 
fall, and lake, are among the wonders of the continent. 
The " Central Pacific Railway," whose western terminus is 
at San Francisco, and the "Southern Pacific Railway," 
reaching the same city through the San Joaquin Valley, 
will exert a great influence upon the future of the State. 

PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION. 1853-1857. 

9. Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, the candidate 
of the Democrats for President, was chosen in opposition to 
General Scott, the candidate of the Whig party. Pierce 
was a lawyer who had been much interested in politics, and 
had also been a general in the Mexican war. 

10. The Gadsden Purchase. — In consequence of a dispute 
with Mexico as to the boundary between that country and 
the United States west of the Rio Grande, a further pur- 
chase was made by our government in 1853. It comprised 
the Pima silver region and other territory south of the 
Gila River, being the southern part of the present Terri- 
tories of Arizona and New Mexico. The price paid to 
Mexico for this tract was 10 million dollars. [See map.] 

11. A Treaty with Japan was also entered into in 1853. 
That country, like China and Corea, had long been averse 
to the intrusion of foreigners ; but Commodore Perry being 
sent there on an embassy with his fleet, was received with 
apparent favor by the military ruler, or Tycoon. A treaty 
of friendship, and afterward a treaty of commerce, was 
entered into between the two nations. In 1868, when the 
Tycoon was overthrown, and the Mikado, or emperor, was 
made head of the nation, the policy of Japan became still 
more open. An embassy was sent from there to this coun- 



178 History of the United States. |"1S54 

try, and, a little later, numbers of the youth were placed in 
our colleges to be educated. ' Educators and others from 
the United States have been received in Japan with favor. 

12. Kansas-Nebraska Bill. — A bill to organize the Terri- 
tories of Kansas and Nebraska was introduced into the 
Senate by Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois. Those Terri- 
tories being north of the parallel of 36° 30', slavery was 
excluded from their limits according to the provisions of 
the Missouri Compromise Act. The bill of Senator Doug- 
las proposed to abolish this act, and to allow any Territory, 
whether north or south of the compromise parallel, either 
to permit or to exclude slavery upon becoming a State. 
The Kansas-Nebraska bill, although opposed by the Free- 
Soil party, became a law in 1854. 

13. Disturbances in Kansas. — Upon the passage of the 
Kansas-Nebraska bill, adherents of both the Free-Soil 
and Pro-Slavery parties began at once to people Kansas 
with emigrants favoring their respective views. While this 
was in progress, murders, robberies, destruction of property, 
and other outrages prevailed, the Free-Soil settlers being 
the worst sufferers. They, however, adopted a Constitu- 
tion at Topeka rejecting slavery, and, having submitted it 
to the people, it was ratified by them. Order was partly 
restored in 1856, when the President appointed John W. 
Geary governor of the Territory. 

BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION. 1857-1861. 

14. James Buchanan, of Pennsylvania, was chosen Presi- 
dent at the autumn election of 1856, and entered upon the 
duties of his office the 4th day of the Third month (March) 
following, as provided by law. John C. Breckinridge, of 
Kentucky, became Vice-President. Buchanan had served 
in both houses of Congress, had been minister to Russia 
and to Great Britain, and was also Secretary of State under 
President Polk. 



1858] Buchanans Administration. 179 

15. Political Parties. — The Republican party, which was 
the name taken at this election by the former Free-Soil 
party, was opposed to the extension of slavery into any of 
the Territories. The Whig party had disappeared. The 
Democratic party, by whom Buchanan was elected, favored 
slavery in the Territories if so willed by the people. A 
third party at that time was the American or "Know- 
Nothing" party: they were opposed to popery and foreign 
influence. 

16. Minnesota was received into the Union in 1858. The 
most of this State had been a part of the Louisiana pur- 
chase of 1803. St. Paul, although it is the oldest town in 
the State, was not settled until 1846. Various bands of 
the Sioux or Dakota Indians inhabited the Territory, which 
they ceded to the United States by treaty in 1851. The 
land was soon settled upon by emigrants from the States, 
many of them being attracted by the reputed healthfulness 
of the climate. Minnesota soon became a great grain- 
growing country. At Minneapolis, on the Mississippi, the 
water-power furnished by the Falls of St. Anthony operates 
some of the largest flouring-mills in the world. Dtiluth, 
at the western end of Lake Superior, is the eastern terminus 
of the Northern Pacific Railway. 

17. Oregon was admitted into the Union in 1859. Wash- 
ington and Idaho Territories were originally included within 
its limits. The broad and fertile valley of the Willamette, 
between the Coast and Cascade ranges, began to be settled 
by emigrants in 1834, the first company being a band of 
Methodist missionaries. The tide of emigration to that 
quarter was checked for a while upon the discovery of gold 
in California; but, in 1850, a law of Congress granting 
lands in Oregon to settlers upon very liberal terms, had the 
effect of renewing the immigration. 

18. The Lecompton Constitution. — At an election held in 



180 History of the United States. [1858 

Kansas Territory in 1857, the Free-Soil candidates for the 
Territorial Legislature and for delegate to Congress were 
elected. In the mean time, however, delegates of the Pro- 
Slavery party met at Lecoinpton and framed a Constitution 
adopting slavery. Having submitted it to the people, its 
advocates claimed that it was ratified, and sent it to Con- 
gress ; but that body ordered a new election, and the Le- 
compton Constitution was rejected by a heavy majority. 
Four years later (1861) Kansas was received into the Union 
as a free State. 

19. Plans to Abolish Slavery. — The passage of the Fugi- 
tive Slave Law, and the excitement respecting political 
affairs in Kansas, impressed many thinking men with the 
belief that slavery would have to be abolished, or the 
country would surely drift into war. (1) Some advocated 
immediate abolition, without any conditions. (2) Others 
favored gradual emancipation. Neither of these plans 
found many supporters. (3) The Liberia scheme of coloni- 
zation had withdrawn but a few thousands of freed blacks 
from American soil. (4) Still a fourth plan was that of 
compensated emancipation. 

20. Compensated Emancipation was a plan for making 
the manumission of the slaves a national act, — that is, that 
the North, which had participated in the gains of the slave- 
traffic, should unite with the South in compensating the 
slave-owners for releasing the slaves. It was proposed to 
pay an average price of $250 for each man, woman, and 
child held in slavery. To obtain the money for this pur- 
pose, and to provide a fund for the education and elevation 
of the freedmen, it was proposed to set apart the proceeds 
of the sale of the public lands west of the Mississippi. 
Elihu Burritt, of Connecticut, known as "the Learned 
Blacksmith," was the foremost advocate of this project; 
but it was not received with general favor, some rejecting 



I860] Buchanan's Administration. 181 

it for moral reasons, others for those which were political 
or selfish. 

21. The John Brown Raid. — In the autumn of 1859, an 
attempt was made to liberate the slaves by a general up- 
rising. John Brown and his sons, who had taken an active 
part in Kansas against the introduction of slavery, believed 
that with a few followers they could accomplish this object. 
They crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, expecting the 
blacks to join them at once. JNot receiving their aid, Brown 
and his little company took possession of one of the shops 
of the United States arsenal at that place. They were 
soon overpowered, however, by government troops, and, 
being handed over to the authorities of Virginia, were 
tried and executed. This undertaking and its result added 
greatly to the excitement throughout the country. 

22. The Momentous Election of 1860. — The canvass 
which preceded the election for President in the autumn 
of 1860, was the most exciting which had been known in 
our nation's history. The Democratic, or Pro-Slavery, 
party had had control of the government during most of 
that time. But public opinion was rapidly undergoing a 
change. It now appeared as though the party opposed to 
slavery would be found the strongest when the question 
was brought to the decision of the ballot. 

23. The Candidates. — The Democratic Convention for 
nominating candidates for President and Vice-President 
was held at Charleston, South Carolina. So much differ- 
ence of sentiment showed itself that finally the Southern 
delegates withdrew, and named as the Pro-Slavery candi- 
date for President, John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky. 
Those who remained nominated Stephen A. Douglas. The 
American party nominated John Bell, of Tennessee. The 
Republicans, whose convention was held at Chicago, named 
Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, for President, and Hannibal 

16 



182 History of the United States. [I860 

Hamlin, of Maine, for Vice-President. There were there- 
fore candidates of four parties before the people. Lincoln 
and Hamlin, receiving a plurality of votes, were elected. 

24. Abraham Lincoln, the successful candidate, had spent 
his early manhood in hard toil as a woodman in the West, 
and hence had few opportunities to obtain an education. 
He was, however, industrious, honest, and straightforward, 
and, having taken up the study of law, was sent to Congress. 
He came prominently before the people in the canvass for 
the presidency, speaking in opposition to the views of 
Douglas upon slavery, which were somewhat similar to 
those held by Henry Clay. 

25. Secession of South Carolina. — It had been openly 
declared by many in the South, that, if the Republican 
party was successful, the States of the South would with- 
draw from the Union. Accordingly, before the end of 
1860, when the result of the election became certainly 
known, the Legislature of South Carolina called a conven- 
tion, and declared, by a unanimous vote, that "the union 
now subsisting between South Carolina and other States, 
under the name of the United States, is hereby dissolved." 

26. Ten other Southern States Secede. — In the First 
mouth of 1861, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia 
followed the example set by South Carolina. All the other 
States south of the Potomac and the Ohio, except Kentucky, 
within a few weeks cast their lot for secession. Eleven 
States in all seceded. 

27. Confederate Government Organized. — Delegates from 
the seceded States met at Montgomery, Alabama, and or- 
ganized the " Confederate States of America," with a Con- 
stitution similar to that of the United States. Jefferson 
Davis, of Mississippi, was elected President, and Alexander 
H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-President. Richmond, Vir- 
ginia, was made the capital. The Senators and Represen- 



1861] Buchanan s Administration. 183 

tatives from the South in the national Congress resigned 
their seats, and most of the officers of the army from that 
section also joined the cause of the Confederacy. 

28. Overtures for a Separation. — A delegation was sent 
by the Confederate Congress to Washington to treat for a 
peaceful separation ; but the Secretary of State, William H. 
Seward, gave as his reply, that no State could leave the 
Union except with the concurrence of a convention of all 
the States. 

Contemporary European Chronology. 

1792. France declared a Republic. Reign of Terror follows. Bonaparte. 
1S04. Bonaparte crowned Emperor of France. 1814. Banished to Elba. 
1814. Louis XVIII. 1S24. Charles X. 1S30. Louis Philippe. Cuvier. 
1820. George IV. of England. 1830. William IV. 1837. Victoria. 
1S32. The Reform Bill jiassed by the British Parliament. 
1833. Slavery abolished in the British colonies. Wilberforce. 
1840-1872. Livingstone, Scotch missionary and traveller, in Africa. 
1S48. Louis Napoleon becomes President of France, and, in 1851, Emperor. 
1S54. Crimean War. Nicholas, Czar of Russia. Cobden. Bright. 



1783. First successful balloon ascension, by Montgolfier, in France. 

1798. Vaccination discovered and introduced by Jenner. 

1798. Galvanism discovered b}' Galvani. 

1S00. Lithography invented at Munich by Senefelder. 

181 fi. The miners' safety-lamp invented by Sir Humphry Davy. 

1830. Locomotive steam-carriages used on Liverpool and Manchester R.R. 

1839. Daguerre, in France, and Talbot, in England, apply photography, — 

J. W. Draper and Rutherford, in the United States. 
1844. (Nitrous oxide gas and ether used as anaesthetics in the United States.) 
1857. Aniline dyes, extracted from coal-tar, begin to be used. 

Note. — Some notable American inventions are referred to in the account of 
the Bureau of Patents, chapter xxiv. 



*4jf* The teacher of the younger pupils should be assured that his scholars 
have a clear understanding of any words, not of common use, which may 
occur in the text. He will need to exphiin to these that pro-slavery means 
si mply /or slavery. Likewise, such scarcejy avoidable phrases as "political 
disabilities" and " basis of representation'' should be made plain. The differ- 
ence between "plurality'' and " majority," in connection, for instance, with J. 
Q. Adams's election and that of Lincoln, or of some local case assumed for 
the purpose of illustration, may be interestingly shown on the blackboard. 



PERIOD VI. 
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

ADMINISTRATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 1861-1865. 
CAUSES OF SECESSION". 

1. State Sovereignty. — The advocates of slavery mostly 
held the opinion that the United States comprised a league 
of States, rather than a union of the people of the States, 
and therefore that any one of them could withdraw from 
the Union if it so desired. Such was the right always 
claimed by the Anti-Federalist or States'-Rights party. 
Others, however, believed that the compact made between 
the people was more national in its character, and that no 
State had a right to secede. 

2. Slavery. — The right to hold and traffic in slaves was 
closely connected with the doctrine of States' rights. It was 
mainly the hope of preserving the institution of slavery 
which made any of the States wish to secede. Seeing that 
the views of the people at the North as to the lawfulness 
of the custom were rapidly undergoing a change, they 
feared that if they remained in the Union, slavery was 
doomed to extinction. Herein was their chief grievance. 

3. Loss of Power in the Territories. — (1) When the Terri- 
tory North-West of the Ohio was organized in 1787, it was 
stipulated that slavery should be prohibited within its limits. 

184 



1857] Lincoln's Administration. 185 

This was the first check to the spread of slavery. (2) The 
Missouri Compromise Act of 1820 prohibited slavery in 
any new Territory north of the parallel of 36° 30', the 
northern boundary line of Arkansas. (3) The Wilmot 
Proviso, although it failed to become a law, had received 
the assent of one of the houses of Congress. It proposed 
that slavery should be excluded from any territory ceded to 
this country by another power. When California, which 
was ceded to us by Mexico, was admitted in 1850 as a 
State, slavery was excluded, although more than half its 
area was south of the compromise parallel. (4) The Kan- 
sas-Nebraska bill of 1854 repealed the Missouri Compro- 
mise Act, and permitted any new State, whatever its latitude, 
to do as it pleased respecting slavery. But when the Le- 
compton Constitution, prepared by the Pro-Slavery party of 
Kansas, was rejected, it became evident that Kansas would 
be admitted as a free State. Therefore, the majority of the 
members of Congress would be clearly opposed to slavery, 
and would, in time, pass laws forbidding it altogether. 

Incidental Occasions of Secession. 

4. Assault on Senator Sumner. — During the session of 
Congress of 1856, Charles Sumner, a Senator from Massa- 
chusetts, was violently assaulted by Preston Brooks, a 
member from the South. This event, which occurred 
while the Senate was in session, caused great indignation at 
the North. Their newspapers were filled with hot denunci- 
ations of the " cowardly assault," whilst those at the South 
replied in a similar tone. Thus, as the breach widened, 
the desire to secede grew stronger. 

5. The Dred Scott Decision of 1857 was a decision of the 
Supreme Court given in the case of Dred Scott, a slave. It 
affirmed that slaves, in every part of the national territory, 
were to be considered as property. Whilst at the North the 
opposition to slavery grew thence still stronger, the sla ve- 
to* 



186 History of the United States. [1859 

owners at the South, on the other hand, greatly rejoiced. 
They affirmed that they had full power over their bonds- 
men, for the Supreme Court had declared the Constitution 
to be upon their side. 

6. John Brown's Raid, in 1859, was declared to be a 
great outrage upon the South, and, if successful in its pur- 
pose, would have resulted not only in the loss of their 
slaves, but also (they said) in the murder of many of the 
masters. Meanwhile, by the secret operations of the 
" Underground Railway," a large number of slaves had 
found their way to freedom, and thus the Fugitive Slave 
Law was set at naught. 

7. The Election of Lincoln, many at the South had de- 
clared, would finally decide the slave States to withdraw 
from the Union. They were well aware that their political 
power would fall below what it had been ; that an anti- 
slavery cabinet would be chosen ; and that many of the 
government offices would fall into the hands of the Repub- 
licans — the opponents of slavery. 

THE CIVIL WAR. 
Events of 1861. 

8. Fort Sumter Bombarded. — One of the fortifications at 
the South of which the Secessionists were anxious to gain 
early possession, was Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor. 
A month after Lincoln's inauguration, the Confederate 
batteries directed by General Beauregard opened upon the 
fort. So effective was the firing, that, on the second day of 
the bombardment, Major Anderson, the Union commander, 
surrendered the post. The result of this occurrence was 
to cause the feeling of enmity between the two sections to 
break out into open Avar. 

9. First Engagements. — A call for 75,000 volunteers was 
at once issued by the government. The foremost of these, 



1861] 



The Civil War. 



187 



in passing southward through Baltimore, Fourth mouth 
(April) 19th, were mobbed by Secession sympathizers, and 
several lives were lost on each side. About the same time, 
the government arsenal at Harper's Ferry was seized by 
the Confederates. At Norfolk the war-vessels and other 
property at the navy-yard were destroyed by the United 
States officers there, and the place evacuated. At Great 
Bethel, uear Fortress Monroe, where General Butler was 
in command, the Union troops met with defeat in the first 
regular engagement of the war. 

10. Battle of Bull Run. — It was nearly midsummer of 
1861, when the main 
army of the volunteers 
under General McDow- 
ell, engaged the Confed- 
erate force under Gen- 
eral Beauregard, at Bull 
Run, a few miles south- 
west of Washington. 
A panic seized the 
Union troops, who fled 
in disorder toward the 
capital, leaving a great 
quantity of artillery and 
stores on the field and strewed along the line of their 
retreat. 

11. Second Call for Volunteers. — As it became evident to 
the President and Congress, after the repulse at Bull Run, 
that a much larger body of militia would be required to 
subdue the rebellion, a call was issued for an army of 
500,000 men. General McClellan superseded General 
Scott, who had held the chief command. A portion of the 
Union army, attempting to cross into Virginia near Lees- 
burg, were defeated at the battle of Ball's Bluff; but, in 




188 History of the United States. [1861 

West Virginia, the Unionists, under General Rosecrans, 
were mostly successful. 

12. Missouri Campaign. — In Missouri, although the 
slaves numbered but a tenth of the population, the advo- 
cates of slavery were active, and managed to elect their 
governor. General Harney being sent to St. Louis to take 
command of the Western Military Department, that city 
was kept out of the hands of the Secessionists. Missouri 
was the field of much partisan or guerilla warfare. One 
of the principal battles was that fought at Wilson's Creek, 
near Springfield, when General Lyon, the Union com- 
mander, was killed. The State was cleared for a while 
of Confederate troops, by an army under General Curtis. 

13. Events on the Coast. — The Atlantic and Gulf coasts, 
from Virginia to Texas, were soon blockaded by the 
National navy. On 'the North Carolina coast, the Con- 
federate forts at the entrance of Hatteras Inlet were cap- 
tured by an expedition under General Butler. The other 
forts on Roanoke Island were taken early in the following 
year, whilst the fleet on Albemarle Sound was burnt by 
the Confederates to prevent its capture. The defences of 
Beaufort, at Port Royal entrance, South Carolina, were 
also surrendered. 

14. Capture of Mason and Slidell. — The Confederates, 
being anxious to obtain recognition of their cause by Eng- 
land and France, sent James M. Mason and John Slidell 
as ambassadors to those powers. In order to elude the 
blockade, they took passage first to Cuba. Upon their 
leaving the island for Europe, in the British steamer Trent, 
that vessel was intercepted by the National steamer San 
Jacinto, commanded by Captain Charles Wilkes. Mason 
and Slidell were taken on board the National vessel, and 
sent to Fort Warren, in Boston harbor. 

15. The British government at once demanded the sur- 



1802] The Civil War. 189 

render of the commissioners. As President Lincoln was 
convinced that their capture had been made in violation of 
the rights of neutrals, the prisoners were quietly given up, 
and a war with England was averted. This action met 
with the approval of all fair-minded men at the North. 
It was seen that the seizure was in direct violation of 
America's own protest against the right of search, the 
principal pretext for the war of 1812. 

Events of 1862. 

16. Tennessee Occupied by Nationals. — Numerous gun- 
boats were constructed for the Western rivers, in order to 
operate against the fortifications erected thereon by the 
Confederates. A fleet of these gun-boats, under Commo- 
dore Foote, and a land force, under General Ulysses S. 
Grant, captured Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, and 
Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland. A few weeks later, 
Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, was occupied by the 
Union army, and Andrew Johnson was appointed military 
governor of the State. 

17. Operations on the Mississippi. — On the Mississippi, 
the strong posts of the Confederates at Columbus, below 
Cairo, and at Island Number Ten, were next evacuated, 
although the latter withstood a bombardment of several 
weeks by the gun-boats of Commodore Foote. The Union 
fleet then continued down the river and captured Fort 
Pillow and Memphis. Meanwhile, General Beauregard, 
who had escaped from Island Number Ten, joined his 
forces with those of General A. S. Johnston - . At Shiloh 
and Pittsburg Landing, on the Tennessee, they defeated 
the Union army of General Grant. 

18. Battle of Corinth. — General Grant's army being re- 
inforced by that of General Buell, a decisive battle took 
place at Corinth, in north-eastern Mississippi. The Con- 



190 History of the United States. [1862 

federate array met with a signal defeat, and retreated south- 
ward. In Tennessee, another Confederate army, under 
General Bragg, was defeated at Murfreesboro' by Union 
forces under Rosecrans. 

19. New Orleans Captured. — Whilst the gun-boats of 
Commodore Foote were operating on the middle Missis- 
sippi, another fleet, under Admirals Farragut and Porter, 
advanced against New Orleans from the Gulf. After 
several severe engagements with the Confederate gun-boats, 
and a lengthened bombardment of the forts below the city, 
the place fell into the hands of the Nationals. General 
Butler, commander of the land forces, was placed in charge 
of the city. 

20. The Iron-Clad Merrimac. — In Hampton Eoads, the 
National fleet, which was stationed there, was attacked by 
a Confederate iron-clad ram, the Merrimac, which steamed 
out of Norfolk harbor. By the use of its powerful beak, 
the Merrimac sank the Cumberland; with red-hot shot it 
set fire to the Congress; whilst the other National vessels 
were obliged to withdraw. The next day, however, a 
Union war- vessel of a new form of construction, called 
the Monitor, engaged, and completely disabled, the Merri- 
mac. Norfolk was shortly afterward occupied by Union 
troops under General Wool. 

21. McClellan's Advance on Richmond. — The first ad- 
vance on Richmond, from the northward, had ended in the 
Union repulse at Bull Run. A second attempt, by a large 
army under General McClellan, was made by way of the 
James River peninsula. As the Union army advanced 
westward from Fortress Monroe, the Confederate forces 
slowly retired until they were within a few miles of Rich- 
mond, where General Robert E. Lee was in command. 
At Fair Oaks a battle was fought, resulting in severe loss 
to both sides. Finally, in the latter part of the Sixth 



1802] The Civil War. 191 

month (June), there ensued a series of sanguinary engage- 
ments lasting seven days. MeClellan's army, being contin- 
uously repulsed, gained the cover of the Union gun-boats 
at Harrison's Landing, on the James River. Thus the 
attempt ended in failure and a great loss in killed and 
wounded on both sides. 

22. In the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the Unionists, 
under Generals Pope and Banks, endeavored to prevent the 
Confederates from joining the army of Lee, near Richmond. 
But, in several battles and many skirmishes which took 
place, the Confederates, under Generals " Stonewall" Jack- 
son and Ewell, were mainly victorious. 

23. Lee's Invasion of Maryland. — AVhen MeClellan's 
army retired from before Richmond, Lee hurried north- 
ward, defeating: the Nationals at the second battle of Bull 
Run, or Manassas. Lee then crossed the Potomac into 
Maryland. The Nationals retreated to the fortifications 
near Washington, whilst President Lincoln, finding the 
capital in danger, issued a call for several hundred thou- 
sand additional troops. Lee's advance being checked by 
the army of McClellan at South Mountain and Antietam, 
the Confederates re-crossed the Potomac, and retreated up 
the Shenandoah Valley. 

24. Battle of Fredericksburg. — A third advance against 
Richmond being ordered, the National army w T as placed 
under the command of General Burnside, who prepared to 
cross the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg. After con- 
siderable delay, pontoons were constructed, and the army 
gained the south side of the river; but the Confederate 
army, being strongly posted on the rising ground beyond, 
inflicted great loss upon the Nationals. General Burnside 
accordingly withdrew into winter-quarters on the north 
bank of the river. 

25. Confederate Ports Uncaptured.— Before the end of 



192 History of the United States. [1863 

the year 1862, all the fortifications of the Confederates on 
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts had been re-taken by the 
Nationals, except those of Wilmington (North Carolina), 
Charleston, and Mobile. On the Mississippi River, Vicks- 
burg and Port Hudson still remained in the hands of the 
Confederates. 

26. Confederate Cruisers. — The Southern ports being 
blockaded by National war-vessels, the Confederates had a 
number of privateers fitted out in England, to depredate 
upon the merchant-vessels of the North. Of these pri- 
vateers, the Alabama, commanded by Captain Semmes, 
achieved the greatest notoriety. For a year and a half, 
avoiding contact with armed vessels, it continued its career 
of burning the merchant-vessels belonging to the North. 
The Alabama was finally captured in the English Channel 
by the National vessel Kearsarge. Owing to the fact that 
this and others of the cruisers were really British vessels, 
manned chiefly by subjects of Great Britain, the heavy 
losses they inflicted gave rise to a claim for damages upon 

that country. 

Events of 1863. 

27. Emancipation of the Slaves. — The War not against 
Slavery. — When President Lincoln was inaugurated in the 
spring of 1861, he said, in his address, "I have no pur- 
pose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution 
of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have 
no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do 
so." A very large proportion of the people of the North 
held the same view of the matter, and it was not until the 
war had made considerable progress that their views began 
to alter. In conformity with this change of opinion, Con- 
gress, in 1862, passed a law abolishing slavery in the Dis- 
trict of Columbia. Kansas, which came into the Union in 
1861, not long after the war began, prohibited slavery on 
its soil. 



1863] The Civil War. 193 

28. Partial Emancipation Proposed. — A law passed Con- 
gress, and received the approval of the President, providing 
for the emancipation of the slaves in the border States. It 
was thought that if the slave-owners in those States were to 
be compensated for their bondsmen, they would be willing 
to forsake the cause of the Confederacy, and thus the war 
would speedily come to an end. The plan, however, was 
not taken advantage of by the slave-owners. A scheme 
for colonizing the freedmen somewhere on the American 
continent met with similar disfavor. 

29. Emancipation Proclamation. — After considerable hesi- 
tation, President Lincoln finally concluded to issue a procla- 
mation decreeing that the slaves in any State which should 
be in rebellion on the first day of the year 1863 should be 
free. Notice of this intention was given 100 days previous 
to that time. None of the States, however, accepted its 
provisions, and accordingly the President issued his Procla- 
mation of Emancipation on New Year's Day, 1863. 

30. The Finances. — Suspension of Specie Payments. — To 
defray the expenses of the war, large loans of money were 
authorized by Congress. But, as the result of the war con- 
tinued uncertain, whilst the expenditures greatly increased, 
paper money declined very much in value. In other words, 
a gold dollar was soon worth two paper "promises to pay." 
The banks thereupon suspended specie payments the last 
day of the year 1861. 

31. Treasury Notes and Taxes. — The banks having sus- 
pended, Congress, in order to provide a national currency, 
passed a bill early in 1862, authorizing the issue of treasury 
notes. These are what are commonly known as legal ten- 
ders or " greenbacks." To raise a revenue for paying the 
interest on the bonds, and for other expenses, taxes were 
imposed by Congress on goods imported and manufactured, 
on incomes, legal papers, bank checks, etc. 

n 17 



194 



History of the United States. 



[1863 



32. National Banks. — The treasury notes had been issued 
directly by the government, but, in 1863, a law was enacted 
for the formation of national banks in the several States, to- 
take the place of the State banks. That these notes should 
be deemed entirely secure, the banks were obliged to deposit 
bonds of equal amount in the treasury at Washington. 
More upon this subject is said in a subsequent chapter. 

33. West Virginia. — Forty-eight counties of north and 
west Virginia, not sympathizing with 
the secession of their State, formed a 
provisional government. They were 
admitted into the Union in the spring 
of 1863, under the title of the State 
of West Virginia. The discovery, 
made in 1861, that coal-oil, or petro- 
leum, existed in West Virginia and in 
western Pennsylvania in such quan- 
tities as to make it a valuable product 
of commerce, caused great excitement 
and much speculation. The Kanawha 
coal-fields have also proved a source of 
considerable wealth to the newly-formed 
State. 

34. Battle of Chancellorsville. — Gen- 
eral Burnside, who had commanded the Union army on 
the Kappahannock, was superseded by General Hooker. 
Hooker's large force crossed the river above Fredericks- 
burg, intending to flank the army of Lee. The assailants, 
however, were again defeated with great loss, and obliged 
to retire. More than 12,000 men were killed and wounded 
on the Union side : the loss of the Confederates was not 
quite so heavy. 

35. Battle of Gettysburg. — The army of Lee, having been 
reinforced by that of General Longstreet, crossed the Poto- 




Petroleum-Well. 



1863] The Civil War. 195 

mac and advanced up the Cumberland Valley to Chambers- 
burg, in Pennsylvania. Great consternation prevailed in 
that State and throughout the North generally. Volun- 
teers were called for, and General Meade was placed in 
chief command. At Gettysburg, on the first three days of 
the Seventh month (July), a great battle was fought, per- 
haps the most decisive of the war. The Confederates were 
finally defeated, and hastily retreated south of the Potomac. 

36. Capture of Vicksburg. — After New Orleans was 
captured in 1862, the flotillas of Admirals Farragut and 
Porter ascended the Mississippi and laid siege to the Con- 
federate stronghold of Vicksburg, where General Pember- 
ton was in command. Although assisted by the army of 
General Grant, the place did not fall into the hands of the 
Nationals until one day later than the battle of Gettysburg. 
Port Hudson, farther down the river, the last possession of 
the Confederates on the Mississippi, surrendered to the army 
of General Banks five days after Vicksburg was given up. 

37. Operations about Chattanooga. — Several months after 
the battle at Murfreesboro', in Tennessee, General Rose- 
crans advanced from that place toward Chattanooga. At 
the Chickamauga Creek a battle took place with the Con- 
federate army of General Bragg. Rosecrans, although de- 
feated, took possession of Chattanooga, where he was joined 
by the divisions of Hooker and Sherman. General Grant 
having assumed the chief command, the Confederates, after 
a hard struggle, were driven from their strong positions on 
Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. 

38. Charleston Besieged. — During most of the year, 
Charleston was closely besieged by the fleets of Admirals 
Dupont and Dahlgren, and the land forces of General Gill- 
more. Fort Sumter was battered to pieces, and the forts 
on Morris Island were taken. The city itself was fre- 
quently bombarded, and, though not captured, blockade- 



196 History of the United States. [1864 

running was prevented. At other points, however, large 
supplies of war material from foreign countries for the 
Confederates, continued to elude the watch of the govern- 
ment vessels. 

39. The Draft. — Volunteers not offering themselves in 
sufficient numbers during the year, President Lincoln 
ordered that a compulsory draft be made. Many who 
were able, instead of serving, paid the government a sum 
of money, as required by the law. Others hired substitutes 
to serve in their places. Some were unwilling, upon con- 
scientious grounds, either to serve in the army or to provide 
substitutes. These were usually exempted. In the city of 
New York many opposed the draft for political reasons. 
A riot finally broke out there, the mob wreaking its fury 
upon the blacks, a number of whom were murdered. The 
rioters also burned the Colored Orphan Asylum and about 
fifty other buildings. 

Events of 1864. 

40. Nevada was admitted into the Union, the thirty- 
sixth State, in 1864. It was formed from a part of Cali- 
fornia, called the " Washoe Country," and from a large 
area of Utah. Carson City, the first settlement, was formed 
by Mormons in 1848. During ten years thereafter, the 
increase of population was very slow, but when, in 1859, 
the rich silver-mines of the State were discovered, emigrants 
began to pour in rapidly. In 1 879, the great Sutro Tunnel, 
which affords drainage and gives access to the Comstock 
silver lode, was opened. 

41. Fort Pillow Massacre. — Fort Pillow, on the Missis- 
sippi above Memphis, was taken from the Unionists by a 
large body of Confederate cavalry under General Forrest. 
Its capture was marked by signal atrocity, as no quarter was 
given to the garrison, half of whom were colored troops. 
Men, women, and children were butchered indiscriminately. 



1864] The Civil War. 197 

42. The Final Advance on Richmond began in the Fifth 
month (May), the Union army being under the command 
of General Meade. General Grant, however, had been 
appointed general-in-chief of all the armies, and hence 
directed the operations. Upon crossing the Rapidan, the 
advance of the Union army was disputed by the army of 
Lee, but without avail. Before reaching the James River, 
great battles were fought at " The Wilderness," Spottsyl- 
vania Court-House, and Cool Arbor. The losses in killed 
on both sides were great; many thousands were also 
wounded. Part of Grant's army crossed the river at Ber- 
muda Hundred, and laid siege to Petersburg, where the 
Confederates were strongly intrenched. 

43. General Early's Invasion. — "While Grant was besieging 
Petersburg, Lee tried to effect a withdrawal of part of the 
Union army by ordering General Early to make an inva- 
sion north of the Potomac. Early's way was unobstructed, 
as a Union army, under General Hunter, advancing up the 
Shenandoah Valley toward Lynchburg, had just been 
driven into West Virginia. Although checked at the 
Monocacy, in Maryland, a portion of Early's army advanced 
as far as Chambersburg, in Pennsylvania. The inhabitants 
refusing to pay a money tribute of $200,000 which was 
demanded, the town was set on fire, and one-half of it laid 
in ashes. 

44. Sheridan's Pursuit.— The Confederate raiders, after 
the burning of Chambersburg, retreated into Virginia, 
followed by a large cavalry force under the Union gen- 
eral Sheridan. Early being defeated at Winchester, was 
followed up the Shenandoah Valley toward Staunton by 
Sheridan's cavalry. In retaliation for the burning of 
Chambersburg, a large number of fine barns in the Valley 
were wantonly burnt, crops were destroyed, and cattle were 
driven off. 

17* 



198 History of the United States. [1864 

45. Sherman in Georgia. — The Union army of General 
Sherman, leaving Chattanooga, defeated the armies of 
Johnston and Hood, and occupied Atlanta. Great devas- 
tation was wrought in the march to that city through the 
section formerly called " Cherokee Georgia." The great 
wrong of which the Indians had been the victims, was thus 
visited in return upon the generation succeeding those who 
did the deed. 

46. Preparatory to leaving Atlanta on his "march to the 
sea," Sherman ordered the city to be set on fire. Buildings 
covering two hundred acres of ground were thus destroyed. 
Sherman then advanced through Georgia to Savannah, and 
captured that place also. The defences of Mobile having 
been taken from the Confederates by the fleet of Farragut, 
Wilmington and Charleston were the only seaports of 
consequence remaining in their hands at the end of 1864. 

47. In Tennessee a Union army, under General Thomas, 
was actively engaged during the latter part of the year, and 
finally dispersed the Confederate force of General Hood 
which had been besieging Nashville. In Louisiana, an 
expedition under General Banks proceeded toward Shreve- 
port, on the Red River, to which place the Confederates 
had moved the seat of government of the State after the 
fall of New Orleans. The expedition, however, resulted in 
disaster to the Union forces. 

48. Lincoln Re-elected. — At the election for President in 
the autumn of 1864, Abraham Lincoln was again chosen 
to the office of chief magistrate. Andrew Johnson, of 
Tennessee, who had served as military governor of that 
State, was elected Vice-President. 

49. The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, by 
which slavery was prohibited forever in the Republic, was 
passed by Congress in response to the message of the Presi- 
dent. He desired a stronger guarantee of freedom for 



1805] The Civil War. 199 

those who had been, or were yet, in bondage than was 
the Emancipation Proclamation. The amendment was rati- 
fied by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the States, as 
required by law. 

Events of 18G5. 

50. Sherman in Carolina. — Burning of Columbia. — Early 
in 1865, the army of Sherman left Savannah and advanced 
to Columbia. The Confederate general, Wade Hampton, 
before leaving Columbia, had ordered all the cotton stored 
there to be burnt ; but a large part of the " Garden City of 
the South" was itself laid in ashes. Whether this was done 
by the Confederates or by the Union troops, is a matter of 
controversy. 

51. Advance to Goldsboro'. — Immediately after Sherman 
left Columbia, Charleston was evacuated by the Confeder- 
ates, but not before they had destroyed a great deal of 
property in the city. Wilmington also was given up, its 
chief stronghold, Fort Fisher, having fallen into the hands 
of the Nationals a short time previously. Meanwhile, 
Sherman continued his desolating march into North Caro- 
lina, until Goldsboro', in the eastern part of the State, was 
reached. There he established his headquarters. 

52. Peace Proposals. — While Sherman was on his north- 
ward march, three commissioners from the Confederate 
States — one of them being Alexander H. Stephens, the Vice- 
President — were appointed, to try to negotiate terms of 
peace. The commissioners were met at Fortress Monroe 
by President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward; but, 
as the recognition of the independent rights of the Con- 
federates was insisted upon, nothing was accomplished. 

53. Sheridan's Raid near Richmond. — General Sheridan, 
with his force of cavalry, advancing rapidly from the Shen- 
andoah Valley toward Richmond, destroyed the railroad 
connections of the Confederates north and west of that city. 



200 



History of the United States. 



[1865 



Lee then attempted to break through Grant's lines, hoping 
to unite his force with the army of Johnston in North Caro- 
lina. Failing in this attempt, he at once sent word to 
Richmond that that place must be evacuated. 

54. Richmond Evacuated. — Jefferson Davis and his cabi- 
net left Richmond without delay. General Ewell, the 
Confederate commander, having ordered the destruction of 




.Richmond and frs Neighborhood. 



the large quantities of cotton and tobacco stored in the place, 
departed with his troops. The conflagration, however, 
spread rapidly, so that the principal business portion of the 
city was destroyed. The arsenal was also fired, and the Con- 
federate gun-boats were blown up. On the 3d day of the 
Fourth month (April), the Union army entered Richmond. 
55. Surrender of the Confederate Armies. — Five days 
after the fall of Richmond, Lee, finding that he could no 



18G5] The Civil War. 201 

longer hope to escape, surrendered the remnant of his army 
to General Grant, at Appomattox Court-House. A few 
days later, the army of Johnston capitulated to Sherman, 
at Raleigh, and the Rebellion came to an end. 

56. Assassination of President Lincoln. — Whilst the 
people of the North were rejoicing over the near termina- 
tion of the war, Abraham Lincoln, the President, was assas- 
sinated. This awful deed was committed by John Wilkes 
Booth, an actor, and the event took place whilst the Presi- 
dent was present at a theatre in Washington. Secretary 
Seward was also attacked by an accomplice, and narrowly 
escaped death. 

57. At the News of the Tragedy a thrill of grief and 
horror ran through the nation ; for, however people may 
have differed as to the right or propriety of the war, all 
admitted the openness of character and sterling honesty of 
the late President. Booth was pursued and killed, and 
several of his fellow-conspirators were tried, convicted, 
and executed. Andrew Johnson, the Vice-President, im- 
mediately upon the death of Lincoln, became President. 

58. Capture of Jefferson Davis. — Jefferson Davis, whilst 
in the act of escaping from a party in pursuit, was taken 
prisoner near Macon, Georgia. He was sent to Fortress 
Monroe, and, having been confined there a year and a half, 
was released without trial. 

59. Losses by the War. — Killed and Disabled. — The 
whole number of men enrolled in the Northern army was 
about 2,650,000; in the Southern army, 1,100,000. It 
is estimated that 300,000 men of each army perished in 
battle, or by diseases in camps and hospitals. The number 
crippled, or permanently disabled by wounds or disease, 
amounted altogether to 400,000. This would make a total 
of 1,000,000 men as the actual loss to the country. The 
Unionists confined in the prisons at the South suffered 



202 History of the United States. [1865 

greatly, many of them dying of the hardships encountered. 
The North, with its ampler resources, was enabled to ex- 
pend large sums of money upon the construction of hos- 
pitals and in the mitigation of suffering. 

60. The Money Cost of the war, to both sides, is esti- 
mated at six thousand million dollars ($6,000,000,000). 
The national debt was increased from 60 million dollars in 
1860, to 2,600 millions in 1865. To meet the yearly in- 
terest on this debt, taxes were imposed on a great variety 
of manufactured goods ; stamps were also required on deeds, 
bank-checks, money receipts, leases of property, and many 
other papers and documents. Nevertheless, there was a 
great amount of money in circulation, high prices were 
obtained for everything, and several years elapsed before 
a financial crisis came. The Confederate interest-bearing: 
bonds and paper currency of the South, being repudiated, 
caused great loss to the holders. 

61. The Moral Loss by the war was indeed great, yet it 
was perhaps not so apparent at first as it was somewhat 
later. After the lapse of ten or fifteen years, the evil con- 
sequences could be much more readily measured. The 
student will accordingly find the subject further referred 
to under President Garfield's administration, 1881. 

62. The Armies Disbanded. — Within a few weeks after 
the termination of the war, the several hundred thousand 
men composing the Union army were disbanded, and re- 
turned to their homes. The Confederate forces, sadly re- 
duced in numbers, did likewise. Some of the principal 
participants in the secession were disfranchised, but the 
lives of none were taken, nor was their property confis- 
cated. As the States were re-admitted into the Union, the 
full rights of their citizens were exercised, and, within a 
brief period, their Senators and Representatives again 
occupied seats in the National Congress. 



1S68] Johnson's Administration. 203 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF JOHNSON AND GRANT. 
JOHNSON'S ADMINISTRATION. 1865-1869. 

1. The President and Congress Disagree. — A wide dif- 
ference of opinion as to the right means of re-organizing 
the lately rebellious States soon showed itself between the 
President and Congress. The latter body believed that 
the President's sympathies inclined him to be too lenient 
toward the South. A number of reconstruction measures 
passed by Congress received the President's veto. 

2. Re-organization Attempted. — Provisional governors 
for seven of the Southern States were appointed by the 
President. Conventions in five of those States accepted 
the 13th Amendment, as to slavery, reversed the secession 
ordinance, and disallowed the debts of the Confederacy. 
They also formed Constitutions for their respective States, 
and ordered the election of representatives to Congress. 
Many of these representatives being men who had taken a 
leading part in the Rebellion, Congress refused to admit 
them. In so doing, it claimed the power granted by the 
Constitution, to "judge of the elections, returns, and quali- 
fications of its own members." It believed that further 
legislation was necessary before those States should be 
admitted on an equality with the others. 

3. The President's open Opposition. — To inquire into the 
condition of the States lately in rebellion and whether they 
were properly entitled to representation in Congress, that 
body appointed, in 18G8, a committee of fifteen. It was 



204 History of the United States. [1868 

known as the "Reconstruction Committee." To this 
measure the President was very much opposed. In the 
course of a journey to Chicago, he frequently declared his 
views, speaking against members of Congress who held the 
contrary opinion. All the members of his cabinet, except 
Secretary of War Stanton, resigned. 

4. Impeachment of the President. — In the Second month 
(February), 1868, the President, in defiance of the "Tenure 
of Office Act," ordered Secretary Stanton to resign. The 
Secretary refused to comply. On the following day, the 
House of Representatives resolved, by a large majority, 
"that Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, be 
impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors." The articles 
of impeachment, afterward prepared, charged the President 
with making odious speeches during his journey to Chicago; 
with declaring that Congress was not a constitutional body ; 
and with seeking to prevent the execution of the laws it had 
passed. 

5. The Trial. — According to the provisions of the Con- 
stitution, the Senate acted as the jury for the trial of the 
President. Chief-Justice Chase presided. After a delay 
of ten days, which was asked for by the President's counsel, 
the trial proceeded. It lasted more than two months, 
closing with a vote of 35 in favor of impeachment, and 
19 for acquittal. As the vote lacked one of the requisite 
majority of two-thirds, the President was acquitted. 

6. The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution having 
passed Congress, was ratified by a sufficient number of the 
States, and became a law. Whilst the 13th amendment 
had declared slavery abolished throughout the Republic, 
the 14th was intended to secure to the freedmen equality 
of rights, as citizens, with the whites. It also gave to 
Congress the power to remove the political disabilities of 
those who had taken part in secession ; affirmed the validity 



18G8] 



Johnson's Administration. 



205 



of the National debt, but declared the Confederate debt 
void and illegal. 

7. The Southern States Re-organize. — The 14th amend- 
ment was ratified with little delay by the States of the 
South. Congress then having approved of their State 
Constitutions, the Senators and Representatives chosen by 
them were admitted into the National Legislature. A gen- 
eral Amnesty bill, in favor of those who had been actively 
engaged in the Rebellion, was passed in 1872. 

8. The District of Alaska, formerly known as Russian 
America, was pur- 



the 



ARCTIC OC&W 



chased from 
Russian govern- 
ment in 1867 for 
the sum of $7,200,- 
000. It contains an 
area of about 577,- 
000 square miles. 
Sitka, in the south- 
ern partof the Terri- 
tory, is the principal 
port. The rigor of 
the climate is such 
as not to admit of 
successful aoricul- 
ture, but coal and 
other minerals are Alaska. 

said to abound. Mount St. Elias has the greatest altitude 
of any mountain in North America. 

9. The chief source of Alaska's wealth is found in 
catching the seal, sea-otter, and walrus. The privilege of 
taking the seals was granted by government to the Alaska 
Commercial Company, and to prevent the waste of animal 
life which formerly prevailed, the number to be killed 

18 




206 History of the United States. [1867 

yearly is regulated by law. The introduction, by our 
soldiers and traders, of intoxicating liquors among the 
Alaska Indians, has resulted in inflicting a great wrong 
upon that people. Drunkenness and debauchery have now 
become very common amongst them. 

10. Nebraska was admitted into the Union in 1867. The 
construction of the Union Pacific Railway at that time, 
gave a great impetus to the growth of the State, so that the 
rate of its increase in population was remarkable. Some 
tribes of the Sioux still occupy a part of its territory. 
Whilst the valley of the Platte, running through the centre 
of the State, is broad and very fertile, much of the northern 
portion, south of the Niobrara Eiver, is a sterile area of 
great sand-hills. 

11. A Bankrupt Law was passed in 1867, the previous 
ones, passed in 1801 and 1847, having been repealed. By 
the provisions of this act, a person owing debts but unable 
to pay them in full, could make application to a United 
States Court, saying that he wished to surrender his prop- 
erty to his creditors, and to be declared a bankrupt. In 
other cases, the creditors could oblige a debtor to give up 
his property, if they had reason to fear that he had not the 
means to pay in full, or was making a wrong use of what 
he had. 

12. The French in Mexico. — A year before the termina- 
tion of the Civil War, the French emperor, Louis Napoleon, 
taking advantage of that war and of dissensions in Mexico, 
sought to establish a monarchy there. The Archduke Max- 
imilian, of Austria, was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico in 
1864, and held that position for four years, supported by 
French troops. His empire was then overthrown, he him- 
self was put to death, and the republic, with Juarez as 
president, re-established. The people of the United States 
were strongly opposed to this intervention of the French, 



1871] Grant's Ad ministration. 207 

protesting that it was in opposition to the " Monroe Doc- 
trine" upon the subject. 

GRANT'S ADMINISTRATION". 1869-1877. 

13. Ulysses S. Grant, of Illinois, who had served as gen- 
eral-in-chief of the Union armies, was elected President at 
the autumn election, 1868, and a second time, in 1872. 
Schuyler .Colfax was chosen Vice-President for the first 
term, and Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, for the second 
term. The latter, however, died in 1875, before the expira- 
tion of his term of office. 

14. Political Affairs at the South were in an unsatisfac- 
tory state when General Grant came to the Presidency, and 
for several years they did not improve as rapidly as many 
people had supposed they would. This was partly owing 
to the fact that some of those from the North who were 
given offices at the South, were unfit for those responsible 
positions. On the other hand, there were many cases of 
harsh treatment both toward persons from the North who 
moved to the South, and toward the late slaves. Murders 
by masked men of a secret order called Ivu-Klux, were of 
frequent occurrence in some quarters. 

15. A Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which 
was adopted in 1870, affirmed the right of every citizen, 
of whatever color or race, to vote; also, that Congress 
should have the power to enforce the right by appropriate 
legislation. To carry out that purpose, Congress passed the 
so-called "Enforcement Act." Serious disturbances be- 
tween whites and blacks arose, especially in South Carolina 
and Louisiana, when, at the times of election, troops were 
sent to those States by the President. 

16. The Freedmen's Bureau was established by act of 
Congress a few months before the close of the war, and 
continued in operation until 1871. It was designed to 



208 History of the United States. [1871 

relieve the urgent necessities of the late slaves, as well as 
those of the white refugees from the South. Transporta- 
tion for many thousands of such was afforded, hospitals 
were established, and provisions and other necessary relief 
supplied. Aid was contributed by many societies and in- 
dividuals, as well as by the government. General Howard 
was appointed commissioner of the bureau. 

17. Freedmen's Schools. — The late slaves having been 
suddenly given the right to vote, it was evident that they 
must be brought out of their ignorant condition if they 
were to exercise rightly the duties and privileges of free- 
men. In addition, therefore, to relieving their bodily needs, 
as many as 2000 schools were opened at that time amongst 
them. The most prominent of these was Howard Univer- 
sity, near Washington. .Besides the aid extended by the 
Freedmen's Bureau in the maintenance of schools, there 
were additional schools supported by most of the religious 
denominations of the North. 

18. Peabody Fund. — The most important single contribu- 
tion to schools in the South, was the gift of $2,000,000 
bestowed by George Peabody in 18G7. The yearly income 
only of this fund is expended, and it is available to both 
whites and colored. The district in which any aided school 
is situated, must contribute at least twice the amount it re- 
ceives from the Peabody Fund. The influence of the trust 
in encouraging public schools has been very great. Not a 
single. State of the South possessed a modern public school 
system at the time the trust was created ; but now no State 
is without such a system. In 1880, the trustees of the 
fund decided that "the greater part of the income will be 
hereafter used in the education of teachers for public schools" 
of the South. 

19. The New Indian "Policy, generally known as the 
"Quaker Policy" of Indian treatment, was announced by 



1 809 J 



Grant' 's Administration. 



209 



President Grant in his first animal message to Congress in 
18G9. He stated therein, that the Society of Friends, 
being opposed to strife and war, were well known to have 
always lived in peace with the Indians, and hence he had 
concluded to give the management of a few reservations of 
the Indians to them. The agents were to be such as they 
might select, but this privilege was soon granted equally to 
the other religious denominations. 

20. Reasons for the Policy. — (1) One reason for this 




Indian Tkkiutouy. 



policy was, the President's desire to avoid the horrors and 
the expense of border warfare. Our country was deeply 
in debt, and retrenchment was necessary. (2) The first 
Pacific Railway had just been completed, and, were the 
Indians hostile, its protection would require the presence 
of a large army. This, also, would be attended with great 
expense. (3) But there was a higher reason for the humane 
o 18* 



210 History of the United States. [1873 

experiment than either of these. It was acknowledged 
that the Indians had been treated with great wrong in the 
past, and that a different administration of their affairs was 
due to them. It was hoped that the reproach of that 
unjust treatment might, in some degree, be removed by 
steadily pursuing the opposite course. 

21. The Results of the changed policy, wherever adhered 
to, have been very encouraging. Wei l-qiuili tied agents, 
farmers, and other helpers were in most cases chosen, and 
the white speculators, horse-thieves, and whiskey-dealers 
were removed from the reservations. Some of the tribes 
gave up their blankets and leggings, and dressed like the 
whites. They were taught farm-work, and were given 
herds of cattle, sheep, and swine, which have increased in 
numbers greatly. Saw-mills were erected in many places; 
good frame houses displaced the wigwams; and smooth 
fields, well tilled and fenced, began to take the place of the 
former rough clearings. Many schools have been opened 
among them, and they have been brought under the good 
influences of the Christian religion. [Some further par- 
ticulars in the account of the Indian Bureau, next chapter.] 

22. The Modocs. — In 1852, a few men of the Modoc 
tribe of Southern Oregon, while under a flag of truce, had 
been murdered by a Captain Wright and his company of 
soldiers. In 1873, trouble arose with this tribe, who were 
under the leadership of a warrior named Captain Jack. 
His father had been one of those murdered by Wright's 
company. Troops were sent against the Modocs, who 
strongly intrenched themselves in a rough part of the 
country called the " Lava Beds." 

23. A truce was agreed upon, and commissioners visited 
the camp of the Modocs. The commissioners, not agreeing 
to their requests, were, upon a signal being given, assaulted, 
and two of them, General Canby and Dr. Thomas, were 



1871] Grant's Administration. 211 



killed. A third, A. B. Meacham, although left upon the 
spot as dead, managed to escape, and since then has warmly 
espoused the cause of the Indian. Captain Jack was cap- 
tured and executed, and his band was removed to the 
Indian Territory. Placed under the charge of the Friends, 
the Modocs have become perfectly peaceable, cultivating 
the land assigned them by government. They are total 
abstainers from strong drinks, and their children are in 
school, making good progress. 

24. Sioux War. — In 1876, a war broke out with the 
Sioux Indians, who, several years before, had ceded to the 
United States a large tract of their land in Western Dakota. 
Upon the reservation of the Black Hills, to which they 
agreed to retire, gold was discovered, and an invasion by 
white adventurers and miners bey-an. The Indians there- 
upon committed depredations upon the settlers of Montana 
and Wyoming. Several hundred troops, under General 
Custer, proceeded against them, but were overpowered near 
the Little Big Horn River, in Montana, and every one of 
them slain. Other troops pursued the natives, defeating 
them in several engagements. A remnant, under the chief, 
Sitting Bull, escaped across the border into Canada. 

25. The Geneva Arbitration. — Treaty of Washington. — 
The claim of the United States government against Great 
Britain, for damages inflicted by the Alabama and other 
Confederate cruisers fitted out in British ports, was resisted 
until six years after the war terminated. Several times, 
during that period, the irritation caused by the discussion 
appeared likely to produce a war between the two countries. 
Finally, in 1871, representatives of Great Britain and the 
United States met at Washington to arrange a treaty. One 
of the provisions of this treaty was, that a Court of Arbi- 
tration should convene at Geneva, in Switzerland, and 
decide the amount of damages due this country. 



212 History of the United States. [1872 

26. The Award. — The arbitrators accordingly met at 
Geneva the next year (1872), and chose Count Sclopis, of 
Italy, their presiding officer. They decided that neutral 
governments ought not to allow their subjects to fit out 
armed vessels intended to injure a friendly nation; that 
they should not allow their ports to be made use of for 
hostile purposes ; and that a neutral nation should be held 



gjtiu 9^iv^^y aJkioirt^'- 




K ^L^O^^^/Z^^^^^- 



i-- 




Fac-Simit.es of the Geneva Arbitrators' Sionvtttres. 

Charles Francis Adams, United States; Frederick Sclopis, Italy; Staempfli, Switzerland; 

Viconite d'ltajnba, Brazil. Sir Alex. Cockburn, Great Britain, did not sign. 

responsible if it violated these provisions. The arbitrators 
then awarded to the United States the sum of $16,500,000 
in full for all claims. The Geneva Arbitration is justly 
esteemed one of the most important, and also one of the 
most cheering, international events in modern history. 

27. The Temperance Crusade. — In the winter of 1873-74, 
a women's temperance movement began in Ohio, and soon 
spread into Indiana and other of the Western States, as 
well as to the Eastern cities. " Prayer, persuasion, and 
personal influence" were declared to be the watchwords. 



1876] Grants Administration. 213 

Whole counties of Ohio were swept free of the saloons. 
In the city of Brooklyn many of the liquor-dealers gave 
up the demoralizing business, and aided the workers for 
temperance. " Workingmen's Coffee-Houses" were started 
in many of the cities, to take the places of taverns which 
had been removed. [The temperance subject is treated 
further in the next chapter, in connection with the revenue.] 

28. A Period of Financial Depression began in 1873, and 
continued to be felt for six years. The first causes of this 
depression and the so-called "hard times," were the great 
war debt and the large issues of paper money. Money 
being plentiful in the North, many new enterprises were 
started, and the spirit of speculation prevailed, so that 
stocks, bonds, and all kinds of property reached very high 
prices. There was also an over-production of manufactures. 

29. The panic began with the failure of a widely-known 
banking-house, which had made heavy loans in aid of the 
construction of the Northern Pacific Railway. Prices then 
quickly declined, manufactories were stopped, and many 
people in all branches of business were thrown out of em- 
ployment. Many of the lowest class of the unemployed 
became " tramps," wandering from place to place about the 
country, begging their way, and often depredating upon 
property. " Strikes" against a reduction of wages were also 
frequent among the workers in the mines and manufac- 
tories, and, in the summer of 1877, such a strike on the 
part of the employees of many railways caused serious inter- 
ference with travel. A great deal of railroad property, 
especially at Pittsburg, was destroyed by the rioting strikers. 
[See Hayes's administration.] 

30. Colorado was admitted into the Union, the thirty- 
eighth State, in 1876. It is hence known as the "Centen- 
nial State." Emigration was first attracted to the Territory 
by the discovery of gold near Pike's Peak, in 1858. The 



214 



Histori/ of the Untied States. 



[1876 



grand scenery of peaks, mountain parks, and deep canons, 
for which Colorado is noted, has become easily accessible 

by the Pacific Railroad and its lateral branches. Many 
invalids go thither, attracted by the salubrity of the climate, 

the rarity of the air, and the clear skies. In the south- 
west corner of the State, in the canons of the Rio Mancos 
and San Juan, are to be seen the ruined dwellings and 
towers of the Cliff-Dwellers. The Ute Indians possess 




Tike's Peas and Penyer City. 



large reservations in the western part of the State, although 
they parted with an extensive tract to our government in 
1880. 

31. The Centennial Exhibition of 1876 was intended to 
commemorate the 100th year of the independence of the 
United States by a display which should show the indus- 
trial, intellectual, and moral progress of the nation. It 
was held at Philadelphia, in which city the Declaration of 
Independence had been proclaimed. Two commissioners 



187i» 



Grant's Administration. 



215 



from each State and Territory were appointed. A general 
invitation was extended by the President and Congress to 
all nations, so that the display became international in its 
character. It continued to be held during six months of 
the year, there being about ten million admissions in that 
time. The exhibition was thought to have had a beneficial 
effect, in thus bringing so many people from all sections of 




J|*.UJ«.T1 1 1 1 'I • « 1 ' i.P.; J=.W :■-■■. > >. "\R 




Memorial Hall. 



the country peaceably together. It also drew many visitors 
from foreign countries, causing a demand for our products 
abroad. 

32. Presidential Election of 1876.— Many of the Repub- 
licans desired that General Grant should be proposed as 
a Presidential candidate for a third term, but the general 
sentiment throughout the country was against so Ions- a 
continuance in office. Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, was 
accordingly nominated by the Republicans for the office of 
President, whilst the Democrats selected Samuel J. Tilden, 
of New York. There was a third party, called the Inde- 
pendent Greenback party, which favored paper money in 
preference to specie, but their candidate received few votes. 
After the election had been held, the result was so close 
that both the Republican and Democratic parties claimed 
the victory. 



216 History of the United States. [1876 

33. The Joint High Commission. — When Congress assem- 
bled, objections were made to the counting of the electoral 
votes by the president of the Senate, as had been the usual 
custom. It was said that the returns from Oregon and 
three of the Southern States were not legal. After the dis- 
cussion had continued three months, amidst great excite- 
ment throughout the country, it was finally agreed that the 
disputed returns should be referred to a " Joint High 
Commission." This commission was composed of five 
Senators, five Representatives, and five Judges of the 
Supreme Court. The result of the counting was that R. 
B. Hayes was declared elected by a majority of one vote 
only. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. 

1. The Chief Executive Power, or the power to carry out 
the laws, is conferred by the Constitution upon the Presi- 
dent. He is the commander-in-chief of the army and navy, 
as well as of the militia of the States, in times of war or 
disturbance. With the advice and consent of the Senate, 
he has power to make treaties, to appoint ambassadors, con- 
suls, judges of the Supreme Court, and other officers. Like- 
wise, he is authorized to carry out the laws enacted by 
Congress. Once a year, when Congress assembles, lie sends 
to it his message upon the state of the country, and makes 
such recommendations as he believes are required. He 
may also send messages to Congress during the sessions, 
or when either house calls upon him for information. 

2. The Cabinet. — In order to carry out the provisions of 
the Constitution that the laws shall be faithfully executed, 



Department of State. 217 

the President has the assistance of the seven officers who 
compose his Cabinet. These officers, who are appointed 
by the President, are called "Secretaries," and each of 
them has control of a " Department." The seven de- 
partments are : 1 . Department of State ; 2. Department of 
the Treasury; 3. War Department; 4. Navy Department; 
5. Interior Department; 6. Post-Office Department; and 
7. Department of Justice. But such a large amount and 
variety of business is required to be attended to by the 
departments, that the work is divided amongst sub-depart- 
ments, or bureaus. Each of such bureaus is in charge of a 
chief or commissioner, who reports to the secretary. There 
is also a Department of Agriculture, but its chief is not 
one of the President's Cabinet. 

I.-DEPAETMENT OF STATE. 

3. Its Organization. — This department, which was the 
first organized by Congress, in 1789, was at first called the 
Department of Foreign Affairs, but the name was very 
soon changed to that which it now bears. 

4. Duties of the Secretary. — The Secretary of State is 
considered the first officer in the Cabinet, his duties being 
similar to those of a Prime Minister in other countries. He 
is the keeper of the Great Seal of the United States, which 
is affixed to the commissions of the principal officers of the 
government. It is his duty to correspond with our foreign 
ministers and consuls and give them their instructions; to 
have a general oversight of foreign affairs ; to issue pass- 
ports; to keep the original copies of all the acts, resolutions, 
and orders of Congress, and to have them printed, and sent 
to all the important officers of the government at home and 
abroad. 

5. The Diplomatic Service. — All ambassadors, envoys, 
and resident ministers, who are sent to foreign countries as 
the representatives of this country, are styled " diplomatic 

19 



218 History of the United States. 

agents." They are appointed by the President, but they 
correspond with and receive their instructions through the 
Secretary of State. They usually reside at the capital of 
the country to which they are sent, as at London, Paris, 
Berlin, Pekin. In the same manner, ministers sent hither 
from foreign countries reside at Washington, the seat of 
our national government. 

6. The Consular Service. — Consuls are also appointed by 
the President, but they make their reports to the Secretary 
of State. They usually reside at the chief seaports of for- 
eign countries, as their duties concern the interests of our 
trade and commerce. The business of a consul is to collect 
evidence respecting American commerce with the country 
to which he is sent; to settle disputes between masters and 
crews of American vessels; and, in some cases, to take 
charge of the property of American citizens who may die 
within their consulates. 

7. Passports are issued by the Secretary of State to 
American citizens going to foreign countries ; or, they may 
be obtained in those countries from our ministers or consuls. 
The object of the passport is (1) to officially show to what 
nation the bearer of the passport belongs, and (2) to secure 
to him when in foreign countries his rights and privileges 
as an American citizen. Every master of an American 
vessel sailing to a foreign land is required to obtain a regis- 
ter, or pass-port, giving a full description of the vessel, 
and stating that it belongs to this nation. Such papers are 
furnished by the Secretary of State to the collectors of the 
ports. 

II.— TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 

8. The Secretary of the Treasury acts as the agent of the 
government in borrowing money, and in managing the 
revenue. The various government bonds, the treasury 
notes or "greenbacks," and the national bank-notes, are 



Treasury Department 



219 



issued under his direction, and the Philadelphia mint and 
branch mints are under his supervision. He also has 
charge of the coast survey service, the life-saving service, 
the light-houses and buoys, and he sees that the laws 
relating to commerce and navigation are carried out. 

9. The Secretary's Assistants are an assistant secretary, 
several comptrollers and auditors, and many hundred clerks. 




mm-'' 



The Mint, Philadelphia. 

The accounts of all the receivers and payers of the public 
money are examined by certain of the auditors and clerks, 
but the money itself is not always nctually received and 
paid out at the treasury building in Washington. A great 
deal of this work is done at the sub-treasuries in the large 
cities. 

10. The Bureau of Currency is in charge of the comp- 
troller of the currency, who has the direct oversight of the 
national banking system of the United States. The comp- 
troller may grant authority to a national bank in any State 
to begin business, when it deposits United States bonds in 



220 History of the United States. 

the treasury, so as to make its bank-bills secure. But the 
engraving of the plates and the printing of the bills are 
done in the Treasury Department, where the seal is also 
imprinted upon each bill, and where it receives its number 
and is countersigned. 

11. Revenue. — The principal sources from which the 
revenue of the United States is derived, are (1) the duties 
on imported goods, (2) the income of the Post-Office De- 
partment, (3) the sale of the public lands, and (4) direct 
taxation or internal revenue. Direct taxation would not 
be required in this country were it not needed to pay the 
interest on the Civil War debt and the pensions. 

12. Customs, or Duties on Imports. — One of the most 
responsible of the offices belonging to the Treasury De- 
partment, is that of collector of customs. The collectors 
are appointed by the President, with the consent of the 
Senate, but they nominate their own employees, such as the 
weighers, measurers, gangers, inspectors, and watchmen. 
Custom-houses are established at many seaport towns, 
which are therefore called "ports of entry." Of these 
ports, the most important is New York City, as it receives 
the largest proportion of the goods imported. 

13. Duties of a Collector. — As a tariff is imposed by 
Congress on many imported goods, it is the business of 
the collector or his deputies to collect these charges. The 
goods which compose the cargo of a vessel arriving from a 
foreign port, are described in a document called a " mani- 
fest." As the cargo is landed on the wharf, the weighers, 
gangers, inspectors, etc., perform their work, so that the 
collector may know what duties to collect. If he suspects 
an attempt to cheat the government, he has the right to 
cause any box or other package to be opened. Smuggling 
is thus, in a large degree, prevented. The collector gives 
his "clearance" to vessels which depart for foreign ports. 



Treasury Department. 221 



14. Internal Revenue. — During the war, and for several 
years after its termination, Congress passed acts imposing 
direct taxes on property, business, and incomes; on legal 
documents, notes, and checks ; and on almost all kinds of 
manufactured goods. These charges are now mostly re- 
moved, but stamps are still required on bank checks, and 
duties are payable on intoxicating liquors, cigars, and a few 
other manufactures. The chief collector is an officer of the 
Treasury Department„called the " Commissioner of Internal 
Revenue." All the States and Territories are comprised 
within certain revenue collection districts, each having its 
assessor, deputy collector, and assistants. 

• 15. Revenue from Strong Drink. — The sum obtained by 
the government from the duty on intoxicating liquors 
amounts to about 70 million dollars, being one- fifth of the 
whole revenue. Let us now see what the use of this liquor 
costs the country. We may then form an opinion as to 
whether it is a wise or a just thing for our government to 
encourage its sale. 

16. Cost to the Country. — Distilleries, Saloons, etc. — There 
are not less than 13,000 distilleries, breweries, and whole- 
sale liquor-stores in the United States, besides 140,000 
saloons. As many as half a million people are employed 
in the business. Were the places where liquor is made and 
sold in this country ranged in a single line side by side, 
they would probably reach a distance of a thousand miles, 
so that it would require a man forty days, travelling at the 
rate of twenty-five miles a day, to drive past them. 

17. The Money Waste. — At least 600 million dollars are 
yearly spent in this country for spirituous and fermented 
liquors. But that sum represents only the direct cost to our 
people. If we should compute the loss which the use of 
intoxicating liquor causes, (1) in the charge for poverty and 
crime, (2) in the support of insane and disabled people, and 

19* 



222 History of the United States. 

(3) in the loss of wages, time, etc., we would be likely to 
find that it would amount to 600 million dollars more. 

18. Moral Loss. — About 100,000 persons, at an expense 
of 100 million dollars, are imprisoned yearly for crime, a 
large part of it being due to the use of intoxicating drinks. 
It is estimated that 60,000 persons in this land yearly fill 
the drunkard's grave. To know the particulars of a single 
case of drunkenness makes the heart sick ; how awful, there- 
fore, must be the whole record for a single day in a great 
city! 

19. Temperancs Movements. — The American Temperance 
Society was formed at Boston in 1826. In the course of 
five years, as many as 7000 temperance associations were in 
operation, comprising a million and a quarter of members. 
Many fell away, however, upon using beer and cider in 
place of wine and distilled spirits. In 1840, the " Wash- 
ingtonian" temperance movement was started at Baltimore. 
The enthusiasm upon the subject was increased by the visit 
of Father Matliew from Ireland, and many again signed 
the pledge. 

20. Since the Civil War, the drinking of intoxicants has 
greatly increased. In 1873, a Women's Tern perance move- 
ment began in Ohio, and extended to others of the Western 
States and to the Eastern cities. A number of liquor- 
dealers gave up the business, whilst "coffee-houses" and 
u friendly inns" were started to take the place of the 
saloons. Many physicians have, wholly or in part, given 
up the prescribing of alcohol as a medicine. It has been 
shown that alcohol does not unite with the blood so as to 
nourish the system. 

21. Temperance Legislation. — Many methods have been 
tried during the past forty years to enable towns, counties, 
or States to release themselves from the terrible evils of 
rum-drinking. 



Treasury Department. 223 

(a) Licenses were refused, before the year 1845, to 
liquor-sellers in many of the counties and towns of Massa- 
chusetts, New York, and Connecticut, with very good 
results. Many communities, since that time, have obtained 
relief in the same manner; but so much depends on the 
person or persons who grant or refuse the licenses, that 
surer methods of restriction are preferred. 

(b) A Prohibitory Law, enacted by the State of Maine, 
declared the manufacture or sale of intoxicants anywhere 
within its borders to be unlawful. The rest of the New 
England States, and six others, enacted prohibitory laws, 
but afterward repealed them. Some States are again re- 
sorting to that plan. Kansas, by the action of its Legisla- 
ture and people, adopted (1880) a prohibitory amendment to 
its Constitution. 

(c) Local Option laws are preferred by some communi- 
ties, the Legislature giving permission to particular towns 
or counties to vote upon the question of granting or re- 
fusing licenses. A large number of counties and towns in 
various parts of the country have resorted to this plan, and 
so well does it usually work that it is being more and more 
adopted. 

(d) Landlords' Prohibition. — When the founders of 
a new settlement desire that no intoxicating liquors shall 
ever be sold there, they may have the prohibition inserted 
in all the deeds of their town lots. Such action was taken 
at the founding of Vineland, New Jersey ; Colorado 
Springs, Colorado ; and the new English colony of Rugby, 
in Tennessee. 

(e) Plans for Lessening the Sale of intoxicants 
without entirely prohibiting them, have been tried in some 
States. (1) In Ohio and other States the Civil Damage Act 
gives the right to any one who shall suffer on account of a 
person's intoxication, to obtain damages from the one who 



224 



History of the United States. 



sold the liquor, or from the owner of the saloon. (2) High 
License-Fees. — In some places so high a license-fee is pur- 
posely charged for the privilege of selling liquors, that 
many are kept out of the business. (3) Four-Mile Act. — 
In Tennessee no liquors can be sold within four miles of 
any chartered school or academy. 

22. Coast Survey. — As a help to our commerce and navi- 




gation, the coast survey work was authorized by the gov- 
ernment as early as 1807. It is still unfinished. The 
work is under the management of a board composed partly 
of military and naval officers. Officers of the army and 



Treasury Department. 225 

vessels of the navy have been much employed in this use- 
ful undertaking. Accurate maps are made of the coast, as 
well as of all islands, shoals, or anchorage grounds, as far 
as twenty leagues from the shore. A report of the work 
done is made every year through the Treasury Depart- 
ment to Congress, the full details, with their accompanying 
charts, being deposited at the Naval Observatory, Washing- 
ton. Copies of these are furnished, when wanted, to our 
own and foreign vessels, and prove of great service. 

23. Light-Houses and Buoys. — Attached to the Treasury 
Department is a "Light- House Board," composed of civil 
engineers and others. They have charge of the building, 
inspection, and illumination of light-houses, and the main- 
taining of light- vessels, fog-signals, buoys, and beacons. 
These are placed at prominent or dangerous places along 
the sea-coast, as well as on the shores of the navigable 
lakes and rivers. The expense of this work is borne by 
the general government, none of it by the States separately. 

24. The Life-Saving Service, of the Treasury Depart- 
ment, is in charge of a superintendent, who has the general 
oversight of the twelve districts into which the sea-coast 
and the lake-coast are divided. Each district has its own 
superintendent, its life-saving stations, and its surf-men ; 
also, an inspector, whose duty it is to see that the service, in 
his district is in good condition. 

25. Each station is supplied with the necessary life-saving 
apparatus. These consist of life-boats and rafts, long ropes, 
the wreck-gun and rockets for casting the ropes to vessels 
in distress, and the life-car and buoy. By the use of the 
latter, and with the aid of hawsers and hauling-lines, the 
shipwrecked people may reach land when the sea is too 
rough for the boats. The life-saving service was estab- 
lished in 1871. During nine years thereafter, the surf- 
men afforded help in nearly 1000 cases of disaster, in 

P 



226 



History of the United States. 



which the lives of 10,010 persons were saved, and those 
of 371 were lost. 




Manner of Using the Life-Saving Apparatus. 



26. Immigration. — The Bureau of Statistics publishes 
information respecting the prices paid for labor in the 
several States ; the cost of living ; the price and rent of 
land; concerning products and markets; and many other 
useful facts of the same character. This information being 
sent to foreign hinds, causes many of their inhabitants to 
soek homes in this country, where land is cheap. Some of 
the States also have their own bureaus of immigration, who 
publish information of a similar sort. 

27. Where the Immigrants Land. — More than three- 
fourths of all the emigrants from Europe arrive at the port 
of New York and are landed at Castle Garden, which was 
formerly a fortress defending the city. There is a Board 
of Commissioners of Emigration, who endeavor to protect 
the new-comers from fraud and imposition, provide for the 
sick and helpless, and render aid to those seeking employ- 
ment. Upon the Pacific coast, San Francisco receives an 



War Department. 227 



increasing number of Asiatics, mostly Chinese, who are 
useful as house-servants and laundrymen, and have been 
much employed in railway construction in the Far West. 

28. Causes of Emigration. — The tide of emigration from 
Europe to America began to set in strongly about 1845. 
The laboring classes of Great Britain were much dissatisfied 
with the operation of the " Corn Laws," which, by im- 
posing a duty on grain from abroad, kept the price of 
bread always high. The potato famine in Ireland, in 
1846-47, caused many to leave that country for America, 
whilst the political disturbances in Germany resulted in a 
similar outflow of people from that section. The obliga- 
tion to perform military service has driven many away from 
nearly all the countries of Europe, but particularly from 
Germany and France. 

29. Where the Immigrants Settle. — Most of the immigrants 
go directly to the Western States and Territories, and settle 
upon farms. Many of the Irish, however, as well as the 
French, Italians, etc., prefer to remain in the Eastern cities. 
The States of the South and South-West have as yet not 
been successful in attracting many immigrants, although 
Texas has received* large accessions of Germans. Since 
1873, many thousands of Mennonites have left Russia to 
escape military service, and have found homes mostly in 
Kansas, Nebraska, Dakota, and Minnesota, and in the 
Manitoba province of the Dominion of Canada. They 
are an honest, temperate, and industrious class of people, 
and are likely to be a great gain to the country. 

III.-WAE, DEPARTMENT. 

30. The Army. — The department of the Secretary of 
War comprises eight bureaus, such as those having charge 
of the pay, transportation, and provisioning of the troops, 
the offices of the surgeon-general, chief of engineers, sig- 



228 History of the United States. 

nal service, etc. The whole regular army of the United 
States consists of upward of 25,000 men. The most of 
these are stationed at the forts on the sea-coast and the 
great lakes, or are employed in watching the Indian tribes 
not on reservations, and in guarding the Mexican frontier. 
Besides the regular army, each State has its own militia. 
The military academy is at West Point, on the Hudson. 
There are also a number of arsenals and armories. 

31. River and Harbor Improvement. — The Rivers. — A 
great deal of work has been done under the supervision of 
engineer officers of the army in removing obstructions from 
rivers, or in deepening their channels. One of the latest 
of these was the removal of many rocks, dangerous to navi- 
gation, in the channel which connects the East River with 
Long Island Sound. 

32. The Mississippi Jetties. — Another great and expensive 
work, authorized by act of Congress, may be mentioned 
here, although it was mostly done under the direction of a 
civil engineer, not of the army, Captain J. B. Eads. This 
work, which was begun in 1875, was the deepening of the 
South Pass of the Mississippi River by the use of jetties, 
so that the depth has been increased from 8 feet to upward 
of 20 feet. This result is likely to have a great influence 
on the commerce of New Orleans and the West, as grain 
for export can now be shipped by that route instead of by 
rail to the Eastern seaports. 

33. The Harbors. — About 70 harbors on the great lakes, 
wholly or in part artificial, have been constructed under the 
supervision of the engineer corps of the army. Substantial 
stone breakwaters have been built where no natural harbor 
existed, as in the case of the Delaware Breakwater, opposite 
Cape Henlopen. The value of this harbor of refuge will 
be evident when it is stated that as many as 17,000 vessels 
sought its shelter in the single year 1871. 



War Department. 229 



34. Signal Service. — In times of war, the Signal Service 
communicates intelligence by the use of a variety of signals, 
by the telegraph, and in other ways. Its regular employ- 
ment, however, is of a more peaceful character, — that is to 
say, the recording of the state of the weather. There are 
more than 200 weather-signal stations throughout the 
country, situated on high buildings in cities, on the coast, 
and on the tops of mountains. All of these communicate 
daily by telegraph with the central office at Washington. 

35. Each station is provided with a variety of instru- 
ments for showing the state of the weather, such as a 
barometer, thermometer, anemometer or wind-gauge, wind- 
vane, rain-gauge, and others. With the help of these, the 
approach of storms and various changes in the weather can 
be generally announced a day or more in advance. These 
indications are telegraphed to all parts of the country, and 
frequently prove of much service to farmers, shippers, and 
others. 

36. Wars Prevented. — In the history of this Republic 
since the Revolution, serious disputes with various coun- 
tries have arisen, but the most of them were settled without 
resort to war. 

(a) Some of these disputes were adjusted by negotiation, 
— that is to say, our own envoys or officials settled the 
matter directly with the country with which we had 
trouble. 

(b) Others were settled by arbitration: both parties re- 
ferring the dispute to a foreign ruler or commission, by 
whose decision they had promised to abide. The Geneva 
Arbitration (1872) was a notable example of this. 

(c) Another way of avoiding war is by mediation. This 
happens when some interested ruler or other person offers 
to be the judge of a dispute between two contending nations. 
It is generally not resorted to until nations are actually at 



230 History of the United States. 



war, when a third power, desiring to stop the further 
shedding of blood, offers to mediate. 

37. International Arbitration. — Since the time of Eras- 
mus, various plans have been proposed for settling disputes 
between nations, by a more just, sensible, and Christian 
method than that of fighting. In 1835, William Ladd, 
of New England, proposed a plan, which it is to be hoped 
may yet be adopted. This plan is : (1) A Congress of 
Ambassadors from various nations to settle the principles 
of the laws of nations so that disputes need seldom occur. 
(2) A High Court of Nations composed of able citizens of 
different countries, to adjust all disputes brought before 
them, thus preventing war. These propositions were ably 
advocated by Elihu Burritt, of Connecticut, and presented 
by him, Henry Richard of England, and others, at the 
Peace Congresses held in Europe between 1848 and 1851. 

38. The Geneva Arbitration had such a good effect, that 
our House of Representatives, in 1874, recommended by 
a unanimous vote that arbitration should be tried in every 
case of dispute with a foreign power. In the British 
House of Commons, in the Swedish Diet, and in the Par- 
liament of Holland, similar resolutions have passed. It is 
the desire of all good men that our country may never see 
another war, either with foreign nations, or between our 
own States, or with the Indian tribes. 

IV.— NAVY DEPARTMENT. 

39. The department of the Secretary of the Navy com- 
prises several bureaus, but it is not necessary specially to 
mention them. The principal navy-yards are at Brooklyn, 
Philadelphia, Norfolk, and Pensacola. At these stations 
the vessels of war are constructed, equipped, and repaired. 
The naval academy is at Annapolis. Our squadrons do 
not remain altogether in American waters, but visit all the 
seas where our merchant-ships sail. It is pleasant to know 



Interior Department. 231 



that national vessels are often employed on errands of 
science, charity, and peace. 

40. Some Errands of our War-Shipa. — Vessels of our navy 
have been sent, at times, on scientific and exploring expedi- 
tions to various parts of the globe, to the tropics as well as 
to the Arctic seas. They have been employed on errands 
of mercy, as in carrying food to the famine sufferers in 
Ireland, or to those left destitute by flood or earthquake. 
They have also been used directly in behalf of peace. Such 
was partly the mission of the Ticonderoga to West Africa 
in 1879, when the commander of that vessel was employed 
as arbitrator to settle the disputed boundary between Sierra 
Leone and Liberia. 

V.-INTERIOR. DEPARTMENT. 

41. A great variety of home affairs are managed through 
this department, such as those relating to the Indians, the 
public lands, pensions, patents, the census, and education. 
The Interior Department has also the supervision of the 
geological and geographical survey of the Territories; the 
government grants to railways; and the public buildings, 
jails, and charitable institutions of the District of Columbia. 

42. Indian Bureau. — The oversight of the Indians, 
which was formerly intrusted to the War Department, has, 
since 1849, been in the hands of the Department of the 
Interior. The number of Indians in the United States in 
1880 was nearly 300,000. This includes those in Alaska, 
who number upward of 30,000. Between the time of the 
formation of our government and the year 1871, nearly 
400 treaties were made with the Indian tribes, principally 
for the cession of their lands. But, in the year named, 
Congress by law declared that no Indian tribe was to be 
recognized as a nation capable of making a treaty. 

43. Removals. — The policy of removing the Indians to 



232 



History of the United States. 



lands west of the Mississippi began with the transfer of the 
Creeks to the Indian Territory, about 1825. The other 
four Mobil ian tribes, the Cherokees, Choctaws, Chiekasaws, 
and Seminoles, were soon afterward removed to the same 
locality. Many tribes besides these, now have reservations 




The Indian Tinners' Shop at Carlisle 



in the Territory : nearly one-fourth of the Indians, exclu- 
sive of those in Alaska, being there. 

44. The Peace Policy.— In 1869, President Grant adopted 
a new policy of Indian management. The tribes were 
placed upon reservations, under the control of agents nomi- 
nated by the religious societies. A Board of Indian Com- 
missioners, composed of honest and intelligent men, was 



Interior Department. 233 

appointed by the President. It is their duty to supervise 
the payments of money to the Indians, and to inspect the 
goods purchased for them. Several inspectors were also 
appointed. It is the duty of these to visit the agencies, 
examine the accounts, and see that the laws are observed. 

45. Results of the Humane Plan. — Schools are now estab- 
lished upon all the reservations, and the Indians are taught 
to farm and to take care of cattle, so that they need not 
hunt the buffalo and lead the wild life they formerly did. 
Many of them are carefully instructed in the truths of the 
Christian religion. Some of the youth have been sent to 
boarding-schools in the States, such as those at Carlisle, in 
Pennsylvania, and at Hampton, in Virginia, where they 
are taught trades in addition to their other studies. Their 
condition has therefore greatly improved. [Other particu- 
lars are given under Grant's administration.] 

46. Pensions. — A yearly pension is allowed by govern- 
ment to every soldier or seaman who had been disabled by 
wounds or disease while in the service of the United States. 
If any such soldier or seaman, who is married, dies of 
wounds or disease, his widow or children become entitled 
to the pension. Any who require the use of artificial 
limbs, are supplied with them once in five years. The 
number of names on the pension roll in 1875 was 235,000, 
to whom there was paid an average of $110 each per year. 

47. Patents. — Colonial Patents. — Before the organization 
of the government, patents were occasionally granted by 
the colonies. We read of one being issued by the General 
Court of Massachusetts as early as 1641. This was a ten 
years' patent for a process of making salt. In 1728, Con- 
necticut granted a ten years' patent to two individuals 
"for the sole practice of the art of steel-making." 

48. The United States Patent Law of 1790, provided 
for the granting of letters patent on " any useful art, manu- 

20* 



234 History of the United States. 

faeture, engine, machine, or device, or any improvement 
thereon, not before known or used." A patent will not be 
granted by the Commissioner of Patents, unless it is ap- 
plied for within two years after an inventor has made his 
invention public. Each patent continues in force 17 years. 
That the Americans are a very inventive people is shown 
by the fact that the applications for patents and re-issues in 
the one year 1875, numbered above 20,000, nearly three- 
fourths of which were granted. 

49. Some Inventions and Discoveries. — The first patent 
issued by the United States government, was one to William 
Pollard, in 1700, for an improved spinning-machine. 

50. In 1792, Eli Whitney, of Massachusetts, a graduate 
of Yale College, whilst engaged as a teacher in Georgia, 
invented the cotton-gin, or cleaner. By reason of this dis- 
covery our exports of cotton increased from 138,000 pounds 
in 1702, to 18,000,000 pounds in 1800. 

51. The first patent for a reaping-machine was that 
granted to Schnebly, of Maryland, in 1833. The first 
successful mower was Manning's (1831), followed by Am- 
bler's improvement in 1834. These have been greatly sur- 
passed by the later ones of Hussey and McCormick. 

52. The first patent for a practical seioing-machine was 
granted to Elias Howe in 1846. This was followed by the 
machines of Wheeler and Wilson, Grover and Baker, 
Singer and Co., and others. In 1870, the number of 
sewing-machines manufactured in this country amounted 
to nearly 500,000. 

53. The discovery of the vulcanization of india-rubber, or 
its hardening by combination with sulphur, was made by 
Charles Goodyear, of Connecticut, in 1835. The uses to 
which vulcanized rubber is now applied in the arts are 
very numerous and are constantly increasing. Mixed with 
coal-tar, it produces a substance resembling jet. 



Interior Department. 235 

54. The electric telegraph was invented by Samuel F. B. 
Morse, of New York, in 1832, but it was not until 1843 
that Congress extended aid for building an experimental 
line from AVashington to Baltimore. The alphabet of 
Morse's is a series of dots and dashes. It has been super- 
seded in many places by House's instrument, which prints 
the letters themselves. By the duplex and quadruple® 
methods of E. P. Gray, of Chicago, invented about 1876, 
several messages can be transmitted over one wire at the 
same time. The telephone, of Graham A. Bell, of the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, permits messages 
to be sent over a wire simply by speaking into a mouth- 
piece, which is attached to an electro-magnetic battery. 
Improvements in methods of electric lighting have been 
made by Thomas A. Edison, of Newark, New Jersey, and 
others. — The identity of lightning with electric fluid was 
demonstrated by Benjamin Franklin in 1752. 

55. The first ocean telegraph cable between England and 
America was successfully laid and operated in 1866. Five 
lines are now in operation, four from Ireland and one from 
France. [Note. — Concerning the introduction of steam- 
boats and railways, see J. Q. Adams's administration, para- 
graphs 39 to 41.] 

56. Public Lands. — How besfoiced. — Millions of acres of 
the public lands belonging to the United States have been 
given to soldiers, as " bounty-lands." Large grants have 
likewise been made to the States for canal purposes, for 
railroads and wagon-roads, and for educational and other 
special objects. 

57. Land -Surveying Districts. — Besides the General Land 
Office at Washington, there are about 100 sub-offices in the 
various land-surveying districts, nearly all of them being 
west of the Mississippi. Each district has its register, 
receiver, and surveyors. The land is surveyed and divided 



2 3 6 History of the United States. 

into "townships," which usually contain 36 square miles 
each. The townships are subdivided into "sections" of 
one square mile, or 640 acres, each. These sections are 
frequently divided yet again into quarter-sections of 160 
acres, or eighth-sections of 80 acres. 

58. How to Obtain Public Lands. — The public lands 
may be acquired by individuals in five different ways. 
(1) Under the Homestead Act, a tract of 160 acres may 
be had at the price of $1.25 per acre; or, 80 acres of rail- 
road laud may be had at double that price. In order to 
prevent speculation, it is provided that purchasers must 
reside on and cultivate their land five years. When the 
government gives to a railway company public lands along 
the line of its projected road, as has been frequently done 
in the West, the alternate lots are reserved. (2) Under the 
Pre-emption Act, a person may enter at the district land 
office a tract of 80 or 160 acres of government land, and 
thus have the right to take it at the regular price when it 
is offered for sale. (3) A desired tract may be obtained at 
Public Sale, whenever offered by proclamation of the 
President, or by public notice issued by the General Land 
Office at Washington. (4) Lands not sold at public auc- 
tion may be afterward purchased by what is called Private 
Entry. (5) Lands may likewise be taken up under the 
Timber Culture Act, as explained below. Before a 
foreigner can have the right to take up lands under any of 
these acts, he must declare before a proper court his inten- 
tion to become a citizen of the United States. 

59. Timber on Public Lands.— Since 1830, the United 
States government has reserved nearly 250,000 acres of 
land on the coasts of Florida and the other Gulf States, 
for the preservation of live-oak for the use of the navy. 
Although the law imposes a penalty upon any person 
found guilty of cutting timber on these or any other of 



Interior Department. 



237 



the public lands, yet the depredations committed in recent 
years have amounted to many million dollars. The govern- 
ment has taken special measures to put a stop to this stealing. 

60. Timber- Culture Acts. — In 1873, Congress passed a 
law which was intended to encourage the growth of timber 
on the Western prairies. Any person who would plant 
trees twelve feet apart each way upon 40 acres of govern- 
ment land, and keep the trees in good condition for ten 
years, would be entitled to a quarter-section (160 acres) at 
the end of that time. The States and Territories which 
have taken most ad- 
vantage of this act 
are Kansas, Ne- 
braska, Minnesota, 
and Dakota, where 
many hundreds of 
thousands of acres 
have been entered 
for planting. 

61. Census. — An 
act of Congress re- 
quires that a census 
of the United States 
shall be taken once 
in each ten years. 
The first census was 
taken in 1790; the 

last, that of 1880, was therefore the tenth. A Superinten- 
dent of the Census is the chief of this bureau. For the 
purpose of taking the enumeration, the whole country is 
divided into 64 districts, over each of which is appointed a 
marshal, who names his assistants. It is these assistants 
who take the names and obtain most of the other particulars 
which the law requires. 



y' 




''V. ^| , lw^ v C^, 




\ — (^ — -jnT f ^Sylht 'muigton, 


% 




(f\. 


■^ XT/ i 




"\J s —\Fernandina' 



Specimen of a Census Map. 
The relative productiveness of the Atlantic coast rice- 
fields, shown in five shades of density. 



238 History of the United States. 

62. What the Census Shows. — By the census we obtain 
not only the total number of whites, blacks, Indians, 
Chinese, and others, in the whole country, but also the 
number of blind, deaf and dumb, insane, prisoners, etc. 
We likewise learn how many people belong to the dif- 
ferent religious denominations; the number of schools, 
scholars, and teachers; the number of factories and farms, 
and their products, and many other interesting particulars. 

63. Total Population. — In 1800, the population of the 
16 States, then comprising the United States, was 5,300,000, 
of which number about 1,000,000 were people of color. 
In 1880, with 38 States and 11 Territories and Districts, 
the population was a little over 50,000,000, of which num- 
ber 6,577,000 were colored. In addition to these there 
were 105,000 Chinese and Japanese, and 252,000 Indians, 
exclusive of the 30,000 in Alaska. 

64. The Geological and Geographical Survey of the Ter- 
ritories was begun in Nebraska, when that Territory was 
received into the Union, in 1867. The construction of the 
Union Pacific Railway was then in progress. Dr. F. V. 
Hayden was appointed chief of the survey. Wyoming 
Territory was explored the next two years, resulting in the 
discovery of the remarkable scenery of the Upper Yellow- 
stone River and Lake. The survey of Colorado followed 
in 1873 and subsequent years. Other explorations author- 
ized at that time were those of (1) Clarence King, on the 
40th parallel of latitude; (2) Lient. G. M. Wheeler's, in 
the region west of the 100th meridian ; and (3) Professor 
Powell's, in the valley and canons of the Colorado River. 

65. Nature of the Work. — The explorers are expected to 
collect full sets of all the different kinds of rocks, soils, 
ores, minerals, and mineral waters. They are to observe 
whether the clay they may find is adapted for bricks or 
pottery, the stone for the purposes of building and road- 



Interior Departm mi. 239 

construction, the limestone for slacking, and what is the 
quality of the sand ; also whether the soils are adapted to 
the growing of fruit or forest trees. The heights of the 
mountains are obtained, careful maps are made, and numer- 
ous sketches and photographs are taken. The geologist in 
charge of the survey has other scientific assistants, who note 
any additional facts in natural history, fossils, the ruins or 
other remains of the aborigines, etc. 

66. Education. — The work of the Bureau of Education 
at Washington is principally to collect and distribute infor- 
mation respecting the public schools of every grade through- 
out the country. The States themselves, through their own 
school boards, have entire control of the raising and expen- 
diture of the funds, and the courses of studies to be followed. 
Within a few years, the Bureau of Education has given 
considerable attention to the public libraries of the United 
States, collecting and distributing much information respect- 
ing them. 

67. Government Land Grants in aid of public education 
were made as long ago as 1785. From that time to the 
present, the extent of such grants has amounted to many 
million acres. In 18(32, Congress passed a law distributing 
the proceeds of the sale of five million acres among the dif- 
ferent States. Since that time, more attention has been 
paid to the establishment of normal institutes, agricultural 
colleges, and schools for instruction in the useful arts. The 
States themselves, and many towns and individuals, have 
contributed for these purposes. 

68. Colleges. — Prior to the Revolution, there were ten 
colleges or collegiate institutions chartered in the colonies. 
One of these, that of Dartmouth, New Hampshire, was 
founded for the especial benefit of Indian youth, but did 
not succeed in that course. Another, the University of 
Pennsylvania, gave special attention to medicine. At the 



240 History of the United States. 

beginning of the Revolution, the students in the ten colleges 
probably did not number more than 300. The colleges 
and universities in 1880 numbered about 360, with a total 
enrolment of many thousand pupils. Some of these col- 
leges are designed especially for young women, such as 
those of Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Wellesley, in Massa- 
chusetts, and Vassar College, in New York. 

69. Public School System : In the North. — The necessity 
for providing free public schools was early recognized by 
some of the colonies, especially those of New England and 
Pennsylvania. Under the republic, the first decisive step 
toward general public education was made by the State of 
Massachusetts, in 1834, when one million dollars was raised 
to aid the towns in providing school accommodations. The 
first normal school was established at Lexington in that 
State, in 1839. The other Northern States soon followed 
the example of Massachusetts, as did also those of the 
West. Horace Mann, of Massachusetts, Henry Barnard, 
of Connecticut, and De Witt Clinton, of New York, were 
early advocates of the system. 

70. The laws of several of the New England States 
forbid the employment of children under a certain age in 
factories. These laws, however, are not always regarded, 
and hence a large number of children in those States grow 
up without even knowing how to read and write. To cor- 
rect this evil, compulsory education, or the obligation by 
law to attend school, has been talked of. 

71. In the South. — When George Peabody, at the con- 
clusion of the Civil War, donated the sum of two million 
dollars to promote education in the Southern States, none 
of those States possessed a modern system of public schools. 
In a few years not a State of the South was without them. 
Yet there still remains a great deal of ignorance unprovided 
for. The greater part of the freedmen's children receive as 



Post- Office Department. 241 



yet no school education. To meet this lack, there has been 
several years pending in Congress an " Educational Fund 
Bill." It is proposed by this bill that the proceeds of the 
sale of public lands shall be set apart for a perpetual fund, 
the most of it to go to the States where the need for schools 
is greatest. 

VI.-POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 

72. Colonial Postal Service.— In 1693, Thomas Neale 
was permitted by royal patent to transport letters and 
packages in the colony of Virginia at such rates as the 
planters were willing to give. A more general postal 
system was organized for the colonies about 1710, but the 
revenue was very small. Benjamin Franklin was ap- 
pointed by the English government postmaster-general for 
the colonies in 1753. He retained the office twenty years. 
His proposition to run a weekly stage from Washington to 
Boston, to go through in five days, was thought a great 
advance in the rapid conveyance of the mails. 

73. The Postmaster-General's Duties. — The Postmaster- 
General appoints all the postmasters throughout the United 
States whose pay is under $1000 per annum. The others 
are appointed by the President. The Postmaster-General 
recommends the establishment of new post-offices where he 
deems them necessary; enters into contracts for the carrying 
of the mails on all the post-roads, whether by cars, steamers, 
stages, or horsemen ; and also arranges for the transmis- 
sion of the mails to foreign countries by sea. He provides 
likewise for the distribution of stamps, stamped envelopes, 
newspaper wrappers, postal cards, etc., to the various offices 
throughout the country. 

74. Minor Post-Offices. — As there is a post office in every 
city, town, and village, and even at many cross-roads, all 
under the general supervision of the central office at Wash- 
ington, the work of that department is very extensive. 

q 21 



242 History of the United States. 

The whole number of post-offices in the United States is 
upward of 35,000, each having its postmaster, and, when 
necessary, assistants, clerks, and carriers. 

75. Postal Union. — At Berne, in Switzerland, in 1874, a 
postal convention of representatives from all the States of 
Europe, the United States, and Egypt, was held, and a 
Postal Union was organized. One of the rules adopted 
was that the postage between the United States and the 
other countries belonging: to the Postal Union should be re- 
duced to five cents per half-ounce letter. This has greatly 
encouraged correspondence, and has thus aided in bringing 
many emigrants from those parts to our shores. China, 
Japan, and some other countries have meanwhile joined 
the Postal Union, the headquarters of which are located 
at Berne. 

76. Franking Privilege. — This is a privilege allowed by 
law of Congress to its own members and other employees of 
the government, permitting them to mail a certain class of 
letters, papers, books, etc., without paying postage thereon. 
The privilege has been greatly abused in the past, Congress- 
men and others sending through the mails almost anything 
they wished. They can now send free only that which 
relates to the business of their offices. 

77. Dead Letters are those which are misdirected or 
which are not called for at the office to which they are sent. 
The law requires that they shall be advertised three weeks 
in a newspaper of the neighborhood, and, if not then 
claimed, that they shall be sent to the General Post-Office 
at Washington. They are opened in the "Dead Letter 
room," and, if they contain money or other valuables or 
important writings, the senders are notified or the letters 
returned to them. 



Department of Justice. 2 13 

VII.-DEPAETMENT OF JUSTICE. 

78. The chief of this department is known as the Attor- 
ney-General of the United States. He has the assistance 
of a Solicitor-General and others learned in the law. It is 
the duty of the Attorney-General to give his advice and 
opinion upon questions of law, when required to do so by 
the President ; also, to perform the same service of giving 
legal advice, when requested to do so by the heads of any 
of the departments. 

79. The Attorney-General exercises a supervision over 
the attorneys and marshals in all the Judicial Districts in 
the States and Territories. A great many suits constantly 
arise under the customs, internal revenue, and postal laws, 
in all of which the government is directly interested. An- 
other class of suits, the admiralty, bankrupt, and patent 
cases, in which the government has not a direct interest, 
are also tried in the United States courts. 

DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 

80. This department is managed by a commissioner, but 
he is not a member of the President's Cabinet, as are the 
Secretaries of the other seven departments. It is the duty 
of the Commissioner of Agriculture to obtain new kinds 
of seeds and plants; to test their value by cultivation ; and, 
if they prove satisfactory, to distribute them to farmers and 
others. A large propagating garden is provided at Wash- 
ington for experimental purposes. 

81. Useful facts and figures relating to such matters as 
dairies, wool-growing, silk-culture, irrigation, and drainage, 
are collected every year, and many thousands of the printed 
report containing them are sent to all parts of the country. 
Facts concerning droughts, the devastations of grasshoppers, 
the army- worm, and the Colorado beetle, come under the 
notice of this department. 



244 History of the United States. 

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 

82. The Smithsonian Institution was founded at Wash- 
ington, in 1846, upon the bequest of half a million dollars 
made to this country by James Smithson, an Englishman. 
The bequest was to be used " for the increase and diffusion 
of knowledge among men." It is managed by a Board of 
liegents, who annually report their proceedings to Congress. 
Joseph Henry, a noted scientist, was for a long period of 
years the secretary of the institution. By its aid, many 
valuable papers upon investigations in natural history, 
astronomy, and other sciences have been published. Much 
attention is given to the Monnd-Builders' remains, and 
other matters relating to the antiquities of our country. 

83. The National Museum is connected with the Smith- 
sonian Institution, and is supported by the government. 
The first specimens deposited were those brought back by 
the Wilkes exploring expedition. The museum now re- 
ceives the specimens of various kinds from the government 
exploring and survey expeditions in the Territories and else- 
where; also the specimens procured by those persons sent 
out by the Smithsonian Institution itself. It is likewise 
supplied with a great variety of preserved specimens and 
models of fishes, deposited by the government Fish Com- 
mission. By a system of exchanges, duplicate sets of these 
are sent to other museums, in this and foreign countries, 
and from these, specimens such as we do not possess are 
received in return. 

84. The Fish Commission, which was organized in 1872, 
is superintended by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution. The work is divided into two branches. One of 
these is the inquiry into the condition of the fisheries on 
our Atlantic and Pacific coasts and the great lakes ; and 
the other, the propagation of useful food fishes, as well 
as their protection. Hatching-stations are provided, and 



The Territories. 245 

millions of the young fish, or eggs, are supplied yearly 
to the State Fish Commissions, or are sent abroad. The 
favorite kinds are shad, salmon, white-fish, German carp, 
and fresh-water herring. Many persons now have private 
ponds for the propagation of fish. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE TERRITORIES. 



1. There are eight Territories of the United States, 
exclusive of Indian Territory, Alaska, and the District 
of Columbia. The names of the Territories are Dakota, 
Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Utah, New 
Mexico, and Arizona. The Interior Department has the 
oversight of the tribes in the Indian Territory, although 
the Cherokees and the other four associated tribes have 
a simple democratic form of government of their own. 
Alaska, as yet, is merely a customs district, having a 
collector of customs and deputies, but without any terri- 
torial government. The District of Columbia is under 
the immediate control of a Board of Commissioners, three 
in number, appointed by the President. 

DAKOTA. 

2. Dakota was setoff from Minnesota and organized as a 
Territory in 1861. Immigration was at first rapid, but 
was checked by the Sioux war of 1862, and, later, by the 
ravages of the grasshoppers. In 1876, upon the discovery 
of gold in the Black Hills [see page 211], immigrants again 
poured into the Territory in large numbers. Deadwood 
became the rising town in the mining district. Where the 

21* 



246 



History of the United States. 



North Pacific Railroad reaches the Missouri River, the 
town of Bismarck has been built. Many Scandinavians 
have recently come into the Territory, and have turned 
their attention to agriculture. 



MONTANA. 

3. Montana, especially its western half, is, as its name 
implies, a land of mountains. Gold was discovered there 

in 1861, pro- 
ducing the usual 
result of a flock- 
ing of eager 
miners into the 
district. Vir- 
ginia City was 
built, and, in 
1864, the Terri- 
tory of Montana 
was organized, 
having been set 
oft" from Idaho. 
The Northern 
Pacific Railroad 
runs through the Territory. The reservation of the Crow 
Indians is in the southern part of the Territory, and the 
reservations of the Blackfeet, Flatheads, and other tribes 
are in the northern part. 

IDAHO. 

4. Idaho, on the west of Montana, is separated from it 
by the Bitter Root range of mountains. It was set off from 
Washington and organized as a separate Territory in 1863. 
The Catholics had established a mission in the district in 
1842, and ten years later gold was discovered. The 
country being largely mountainous, it is better adapted for 




Wyoming. 247 

the purposes of grazing than for agriculture. Cattle- 
raising and sheep pasturing are, therefore, together with 
mining, the principal industries of the Territory. 

5. Nez Perce's War. — In 1877, trouble arose with the 
Nez Perces Indians respecting the sale of some of the 
lands of the tribe to the government. The Indians having 
committed depredations, General Howard, with a small 
force, was sent against them. The Nez Perces fled before 
their pursuers a long distance, but finally came to a stand 
near the Bear Paw Mountains, in Montana. Nearly all 
the hostiles were killed or made prisoners. The latter, 
including their chief, Joseph, were sent to the Indian 
Territory. 

"WYOMING. 

6. Wyoming was organized as a Territory in 1868, but 
its increase in population has been slow. The first white 
settlement was probably at Fort Laramie, where a fur 
trading-post was built in 1834. The Union Pacific Rail- 
road crosses the Wind River Mountains at a pass, which 
was formerly the chief wagon-road, 7500 feet above sea- 
level. In the southern part of the Territory are many 
"buttes," or flat-topped hills, furrowed into strange shapes 
by the action of water-currents upon the soil of blue clay. 
At a little distance these have the appearance of walled 
cities, ruined castles, mounds, and pyramids. 

7. The Yellowstone National Park is in the north- west 
corner of Wyoming Territory. It was visited and sur- 
veyed by the government exploring expedition under Pro- 
fessor Hayden, whose account of its grand canon, water- 
falls, lake, and spouting springs, excited general interest. 
It was, therefore, in 1872, set aside by act of Congress as 
a national park for the public use and enjoyment forever. 
It comprises an area of 3575 square miles. 



248 



History of the United States. 



WASHINGTON". 

8. Washington Territory, originally a part of Oregon, 
was organized in 1853. The Straits of Juan de Fuca, 
which separate Washington from Vancouver's Island, were 
so called from a Greek navigator of that name, in the 
Spanish service, who entered them in 1592. The dis- 
pute with Great Britain as to the North-West, or Oregon, 




Giant Geyseb — Yellowstone Park. 



boundary, was settled in 184G; but the ownership of the 
San Juan Islands, in the strait, was not decided until 
1872. The Emperor of Germany, to whom the matter 
had been referred, decided that they belonged to the United 
States. 

9. Tacoma, on Puget Sound, is the western terminus of 
the Northern Pacific Railway. There are several reserva- 
tions of Indians upon the Sound, which latter has always 
been a favorite resort of the natives on account of the 



Utah. 249 

abundance of its supply of salmon. Immense forests of 
very large pine- and fir-trees overspread that portion of 
the country, and the cutting of the timber is one of the 
chief industries. The tops of some of the tall peaks 
of the Cascade Range are covered with perpetual snow, 
whilst glaciers also occur in a number of places. 

UTAH. 

10. Utah, which was organized as a Territory in 1850, 
was acquired from Mexico by the treaty of 1848. In the 
previous year, a body of Mormons, under Brigham Young, 
came to Utah from Nauvoo in Illinois, and founded their 
city of Great Salt Lake. The district was first called by 
them "Deseret." In 1857, occurred the Mountain Meadow 
massacre, when a large band of emigrants were attacked 
by Indians, who were under Mormon influence, and all 
except a few of the children were killed. The attempt to 
establish a Federal court in the Territory being resisted, 
President Buchanan sent a body of troops thither ; but the 
matter was settled without bloodshed. Whilst the Mor- 
mons continue in the majority and uphold the practice of 
polygamy, which is so opposed to the moral sense of the 
nation, Utah will probably not be received as a State into 
the Union. 

11. At Ogden, in the northern part of the Territory, is 
the junction of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Pail- 
ways. The Wahsatch Mountains, noted for their pictu- 
resque scenery, extend north and south through the central 
parts of the Territory. Eastward of the range, flow the 
Green and Grand Pi vers in their deep canons, and on the 
west spreads out the arid plain of the Great American 
Desert. The silver and gold mines of Utah have hitherto 
been the chief source of its wealth, but the Mormon people 
give considerable attention to fanning, although it can be 
carried on only with the aid of irrigation. 



250 



History of the United States. 



NEW MEXICO. 

12. New Mexico was visited by the Spanish expedition 
of Coronado in 1539. In 1582, Santa F6, the first of the 
Catholic mission stations, was founded. The native popu- 
lation of Moquis were kept in a state of peonage, or semi- 
slavery, by the Spaniards. They then, as they do now, 




Horseshoe Canon, Green River, Utah. 



lived together in large casas of many apartments, weaving 
and pottery-making being two of their chief industries. 

13. The Territory was acquired from Mexico in 1848, 
General Kearney being its first governor. The English 
and Spanish languages are both used in the schools. In 
the eastern part of the Territory is an unwatered and tree- 
less country, called " the Staked Plains," mostly covered 
with the shrub known as the mesgulte. The Sierra Madre 



1877] Hayes's Administration. 251 

and other ranges extend north and south on either side of 
the Rio Grande. There are reservations of the Navajoe 
and Apache Indians in the Territory. 

ARIZONA. 

14. Arizona, like New Mexico, was acquired from Mexico 
in 1848, the part south of the Gila River excepted. This 
latter portion, which was known as the " Gadsden Pur- 
chase," was acquired in 1853. Ten years later, Arizona 
was organized as a Territory. Soon after Santa Fe was 
founded, several Jesuit missions were built, one of the 
oldest of them being that of Tucson. Many ruins of the 
abodes of the Cliff-Dwellers are found in the northern 
parts of Arizona and New Mexico. Sheep-raising and sil- 
ver-mining are the chief industries of the country, but its 
growth has been much retarded by the presence of outlaws 
from Mexico and the surrounding Territories. The South- 
ern Pacific Railway, recently completed through the south- 
ern part of Arizona, must now hasten its settlement. To 
tourists, the Grand Canon of the Colorado, 1000 to 6000 
feet in depth, will doubtless prove a great attraction. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

ADMINISTRATIONS OF HAYES AND GARFIELD. 
HAYES'S ADMINISTRATION. 1877-1881. 

1. Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, the nineteenth Presi- 
dent of the United States, had been thrice governor of his 
native State, occupying that position when elected chief 
magistrate of the nation. His inaugural address was 
entirely unpartisan in spirit, and did much to allay the 



252 History of the United States. [1877 

bitterness of political feeling which had long prevailed. 
The choice of his Cabinet gave general satisfaction, whilst 
the withdrawal of several bodies of troops which had been 
sent to the South was followed by good results. Attention 
was also given to the reform of the civil service. It was a 
political motto of the President's worth remembering, that 
" He who best serves his country, serves his party best." 

2. The Railroad Strike.— The President had been but 
four months in office, when, in the summer of 1877, a 
serious labor disturbance occurred at the North, known as 
the Railroad Strike. The managers of the great railway 
lines, or " trunk lines," between the East and the West, 
proposed to their employees a reduction of wages. This 
was objected to by the engineers, brakemen, and other 
workers, who, combining together, left their posts and 
forbade others to occupy them at their peril. 

3. At Baltimore, Pittsburg, Chicago, San Francisco, and 
other cities, the militia were called out, and riots ensued, 
with loss of life and property. This was particularly the 
case at Pittsburg, where the Union Depot, many machine- 
shops, and other property, valued at more than three million 
dollars, were destroyed by the mob. Nearly 100 lives were 
also lost. At San Francisco, the fury of the mob was 
directed chiefly against the Chinese. Two weeks elapsed 
before the tumults ended, and the travel and freight busi- 
ness on the roads was regularly resumed. 

4. The Fisheries Dispute. — By the Treaty of Washington 
of 1871, not only was it provided that the Alabama claims 
should be settled by arbitration, but also a dispute relating 
to certain fisheries was to be adjusted in the same manner. 
On behalf of the United States fishermen, the privilege 
was asked that they be allowed to fish in Canadian waters 
the same as the subjects of Great Britain. The United 
States were willing to repeal certain duties on fish imported 



1878] Hayes's Administration. 253 

from Canada, and to pay the British government a sum of 
money for the privilege they asked. 

5. How it was Settled. — To settle what this sum should 
be, three arbitrators were appointed, who met at Halifax 
in the summer of 1877, and concluded on an award of five 
million dollars. Although the Americans thought the 
sum too large, it was nevertheless promptly paid. An- 
other fisheries trouble, two years later, was also peaceably 
settled, the decision being, in that case, against the British 
government. 

6. Specie Payments Resumed. — An act of Congress, 
passed in 1875, declared that on the first day of the year 
1879 the government would begin paying its notes in coin. 
The premium on gold for several years had been very 
small, and when the time arrived for resumption, no diffi- 
culty was experienced. 

7. With Respect to Silver, so great had been the product 
of the American mines, that the privilege of paying debts 
in that coin had been disallowed in 1874. That is to say, 
silver had been demonetized. This occasioned so great dis- 
satisfaction, especially in the West, that Congress now 
passed a law restoring the silver dollar to its former 
standard as a legal tender. In other words, it was re- 
monetized. Provision was likewise made fur the coinage at 
the mints of not less than two million dollars of silver a 
month. 

8. The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 was the most 
fatal visitation of the kind ever known in this country. The 
disease made its appearance at New Orleans, and quickly 
spread among the towns on and near the lower Mississippi. 
It also appeared along the Ohio as far eastward as Louis- 
ville. Memphis, Vicksburg, and Grenada especially suf- 
fered from the scourge. Most of the inhabitants who 
could get away, fled from the desolating pestilence. 

22 



254 History of the United States. [1878 

9. Not until the frosts of late autumn appeared, and at 
least 20,000 people had died, was the progress of the dis- 
ease stayed. The large contributions in money, provisions, 
medicine, etc., which were sent from the North, not only 
did good to the afflicted, but also helped to heal the enmi- 
ties made by the war. In order to prevent the return of 
such an epidemic, prompt measures were taken to improve 
the healthfulness of the towns. The drainage system of 
Memphis received particular attention. 

10. Chinese Immigration. — When the Chinese were 
brought to this country in large numbers to aid in the 
construction of the Central Pacific Railway, little or no 
objection was made to their presence, as there was a great 
demand at that time for labor. After the panic of 1873, 
however, many people being thrown out of employment, 
an outcry began to be raised against the Asiatics because 
they were willing to work for very low wages. This an- 
tagonism was especially great in California, as the most of 
the immigrants landed at the port of San Francisco, and 
many of them made their homes in that city. Congress 
was then called upon to forbid Chinese emigration to this 
country. 

11. The Chinese Treaties. — In 1858, a treaty of com- 
merce had been entered into with China, which country, 
like Japan, had been opposed to intercourse with other 
nations. In 1868, when so many of the Chinese began to 
come hither, a further treaty was made, guaranteeing them 
against compulsory service; also securing to them all right- 
ful privileges when in this country. The like privileges 
were extended to American citizens in China. This treaty 
is known as the Burlingame Treaty, it having been nego- 
tiated by an American of that name in the Chinese service. 
Finally, in 1879, an act being passed by Congress to re- 
strict Chinese immigration, the President vetoed it, because 



1879] 



Hayes's A dm'mistration . 



255 



it was in opposition to the provisions of the Burlingame 
Treaty. He immediately afterward, however, appointed 
three commissioners to proceed to Pekin, and through them 
a third treaty was made, satisfactory to the country. 

[For Nez Perces War of 1877, see " Idaho," page 247.] 

12. Darien Railway and Canal Schemes. — Clayton-Bulwer 
Treaty. — In 1850, a convention was entered into between 
this country and Great Britain with respect to any railways 



/-\\ J-to^ A 




Y% U CA&IBBEAN 


U. ^^T 


S Q^Bluefields 




1 7 SEA 


\yr 


*s"£^-^R.SanJuan, 


v6 \ 


% / 


^Y \J 


"V^ s 


r> 


>k *£* St-v-, AspinwalJLr">\_^^ &> 


^ 
** 






O W S> PANAMA \ (r» 






Zint cf 6 'j/:Zat 


Cupica BjJ~y<ti 



Proposed Routes for an Interoceanic Ship-Canal. 

Atrato routes: 1. Selfriiljre's ; 2. Tratitwine's (1SJ2) ; 3. Michler's. Darien, 4 to 8, — 

the last, De Lessejis's. Nicaraguan, 9, 10. 

or canals which should be constructed across the Isthmus 
of Darien or adjacent territory. This is known as the 
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. It stipulates that the two coun- 
tries named shall exercise a joint protectorate over any such 
railway or canal, and that it shall be open to their citizens 
and subjects on equal terms. Any other nation might enter 
into the convention on the same conditions. 

13. The Panama Railway, across the Isthmus, was an 
American undertaking, which was completed in 1855. 



256 History of the United States. [1880 

Although but forty miles in length, its construction proved 
to be a very difficult feat of engineering. Many lives were 
lost during the progress of the work, which was done under 
the direction of Civil Engineers Totten and Trautwine. 

14. Surveys for a Ship- Canal Route, by way of Lake 
Nicaragua, by the Isthmus, and by the river Atrato, have 
been made on behalf of the United States and other gov- 
ernments, and of private corporations. Much activity in 
this direction was shown during the administration of Presi- 
dent Hayes. In 1880, the Panama route, near the line of 
the railway, was selected as the most feasible one by Fer- 
dinand de Lesseps, of France, the constructor of the Suez 
Canal. A company was formed and some work was begun, 
but so costly must such an undertaking prove, that its com- 
pletion is regarded by many as extremely doubtful. Mean- 
while, the building of railways in Mexico to connect with 
those in our own country, has been entered into by Ameri- 
can capitalists, with the belief that traffic between the two 
nations will be greatly enlarged. 

15. A Praiseworthy Administration. — The election for a 
chief magistrate to succeed President Hayes, resulted in the 
choice of General James A. Garfield, of Ohio. Chester A. 
Arthur, of New York, was chosen Vice-President. Upon 
the retirement of Rutherford B. Hayes from office, it was 
felt by the people that he had well redeemed the pledges 
made at his inauguration. (1) The political condition of 
the country was far more quiet than it had been at any 
time since the war; (2) its finances were in a prosperous 
state; (3) the civil service had been improved; (4) the 
Indians had been befriended; (5) we were at peace with 
all nations. Finally, before all the people, the President 
and his honored wife had set a noteworthy example of 
temperance at their state entertainments. 

16. Seeking Peace. — In his straightforward dealings to- 



1SS0] Garfield's Administration. m 257 

ward the States of the South ; in his treatment of the 
fisheries disputes, as well as of the Chinese question ; and in 
his offers to mediate between the republics of Chili and 
Peru whilst they were at war, the President had shown 
that it was his continued earnest desire to " seek peace." 
Did this purpose always prevail with our rulers and chief 
officials, the nation might never become embroiled in wars 
with foreign powers. Nevertheless, should a large part of 
the people become morally corrupt, then, as all history 
shows, there will troubles arise both within and without, 
beyond the power of the best of rulers to overcome. 

GARFIELD'S BRIEF ADMINISTRATION" —1881. 

17. James A. Garfield, the successor of President Hayes, 
was born near Cleveland, Ohio, in 1831. When James 
was but two years of age, his father died, leaving the family 
of four little ones and their mother dependent upon that 
mother's exertions for support. A woman of much strength 
of character and of decided religious principles, she suc- 
ceeded, with hard struggling, in keeping her family together 
upon the little farm which her husband had left her. 

18. James was diligent in assisting his mother, according 
to his ability, not only upon the farm, but, later, when a 
lad of 17 he took to the carpenter's craft. Afterward, 
being desirous of obtaining a good education, he accepted a 
situation upon a canal, next taught country schools, and was 
then advanced to the position of professor. Still later, he 
was elected to serve in the Senate of his native State, en- 
gaged in the late war, was sent to Congress, and, finally, 
chosen twentieth President of the United States. 

19. Garfield's Inauguration was marked by a touching 
and natural little act, on the part of the President, which 
history will ever preserve. Standing upon the steps of the 
nation's capitol, and in the presence of a great assemblage 



258 . History of the United States. [1881 

of people, — amongst whom were the highest officials of the 
land, as well as the representatives of many foreign conn- 
tries, — the President turned himself around as soon as he 
had ceased speaking to the people, and, bending over his 
aged mother, affectionately kissed her. This act of honor 
and manifestation of gratitude toward a loved and worthy 
parent gained him the hearts of the people everywhere. 

20. Civil Service Reform. — The Star Routes. — Assisted 
by an able Cabinet, President Garfield continued the work 
of reform in the government service which had been begun 
by his predecessor. With the co-operation of Postmaster- 
General James, an extensive system of frauds in connection 
with the giving out of post-route contracts, was brought to 
light. These contracts were for carrying the mails upon 
what were known as the " Star Routes" in the remote States 
and Territories. With the connivance of officials, the gov- 
ernment had been for a number of years defrauded of large 
amounts of money ; but this system of thievery was now 
effectually checked. 

21. Opposition by Party Leaders. — The reform measures 
adopted by the President quickly aroused a host of partisan 
opponents. These declared that the President showed him- 
self ungrateful to his party friends who had elected him, 
when he refused to appoint themselves or their favorites to 
the offices in his gift. Finally, when the President sent to 
the Senate, for confirmation, the name of Senator Rob- 
ertson for collector of the port of New York, the bitter 
opposition of the party ring-leaders was shown. This was 
especially true of the two Senators from the State of New 
York. For several weeks, the time of the Senate was en- 
tirely taken up in hearing speeches upon the matter in 
debate ; but, after a stormy session, the nomination of 
Robertson was confirmed. 

22. The Newspapers of the country, meanwhile, had 



1881] Garfield's Administration. 259 

printed at large the passionate utterances of the contentious 
Senators, whilst not a few editors, by adding angry com- 
ments of their own, had worked the minds of the people 
up to a high pitch of excitement. The woful result of this 
wordy strife presently showed itself in a manner unantici- 
pated by the nation, and to its exceeding sorrow. 

23. The President Shot. — On the second day of the 
Seventh month (July), as the President, in company with 
Secretary of State Blaine, was entering a railroad depot in 
Washington, to take a train for the sea-side, he was followed 
by a disappointed office-seeker, named Charles J. Guiteau. 
Guiteau, aiming a revolver at the President, shot him twice 
in the back. Garfield fell, bleeding, and badly wounded, 
upon the floor, whence he was carefully removed to the 
White House. The assassin was pursued, and, being 
promptly arrested, was lodged in the city prison, to await 
the result of his brutal assault. [The account of Guiteau's 
trial, following the death of Garfield, belongs to the next 
administration.] 

24. The President's Illness. — Several surgeons of the 
highest repute in the land were at once summoned to the 
bedside of the distinguished sufferer. They did not give 
much encouragement to the belief that his life would be 
spared many days, or even many hours. Nevertheless, as 
his life was prolonged from day to day, though with fre- 
quent relapses, through the hot and almost rainless summer, 
the prayers of the people for his recovery ascended from 
every section of the land alike. 

25. His Removal and Death. — Finally, after several weeks 
of much suffering, the physicians concluded that the only 
hope of saving the President's life would be to remove him 
from Washington. He was accordingly taken by rail, with 
all the skill and care that could be exercised, to Long Branch ; 
but, though attended when there with the greatest assiduity, 



260 History of the United States. [1881 

he expired before dawn the 19th day of the Ninth mouth 
(September). 

26. Vice-President Arthur, who was then in New York, 
was at once informed by telegraph of the decease of the 
President. Before one of the judges of a United States 
Court in the city, he took the oath of office to observe the 
duties of President, as required by the Constitution. Thus, 
without delay or any disturbance, the administration of the 
affairs of fifty million people passed peaceably into the 
hands of the one to whom it lawfully belonged. 

27. Were the People's Prayers Answered ? was a ques- 
tion asked by all, when death removed their beloved Presi- 
dent. Whilst, indeed, his life was not spared in accord- 
ance with the many heart-felt petitions which had arisen, 
it was the feeling of some that his eighty days' illness 
had accomplished for the nation that which his life might 
not have done. (1) Within that short space of time all 
sectional animosities appeared to have been utterly laid 
aside, and softened feelings had taken their place. (2) In- 
asmuch as a rank party-spirit and greed for office had in a 
large measure provoked the deadly assault upon the Presi- 
dent, much was now said and practised against continuance 
in this habit. Thus, when Arthur succeeded to the presi- 
dency, although he was not favored by either political party, 
the expressions of opposition were, nevertheless, very few. 
(3) From the people and rulers of other countries there 
were received many assurances of true sympathy for the 
bereaved nation, and for the devoted widow and the mother 
of the late President. None of these messages was more 
grateful to American hearts than was that from the British 
Queen. Hence, a feeling of interest in, and of kindness 
for, the people of England sprang up, such as had perhaps 
never been felt since the early colonial days. 

28. [Note. — The suggestion is offered to the teacher, 



1881] Garfield's Administration. 261 

that the concluding paragraphs which follow may be more 
impressively treated than by simply requiring their recital. 
Each teacher may choose his or her method of making 
the application serviceable to the pupils. It may be of use, 
in this place, to transcribe a pertinent remark which occurs 
in the preface to Politics for Young Americans, that " free 
government is a political application of the Christian theory 
of life ; that at the base of the republican system lies the 
Golden Rule; and that to be a good citizen of the United 
States one ought to be imbued with the spirit of Christianity, 
and to believe in and act upon the teachings of Jesus."] 

29. The Condition of the Country, sixteen years after 
the war, appeared highly prosperous. The " hard times" 
which came with the panic, had gone by. Work for all 
w T as to be had at fair wages; the cotton, woollen, and other 
mills were all running, and many new ones were being 
built ; iron furnaces and foundries were in full blast ; the 
busy workers in the mines were bringing the hidden 
wealth of long-past ages to the light and to use; whilst 
many of the railways were carrying farm-products and 
merchandise to their utmost capacity. Throughout all the 
land the busy hum of industry is heard, and general con- 
tent appears to reign. 

30. Are we Really Prospering ? is, however, a question 
which may be here appropriately asked. We have learned 
how the large amounts of money which circulated imme- 
diately after the war, and the knowledge of the great for- 
tunes which were made at that time, begat a love of specu- 
lation and a general desire " to be rich in a hurry." This 
speculation, too, was not confined to gambling in stocks. 
It has taken the form also of purchasing vast quantities 
of the necessaries of life, such as wheat and corn, with the 
hope of forcing an advance in prices, no matter who may 
be the losers. 



232 History of the United States. [1881 

31. The spirit of speculation carried with it, on the part 
of many, a temptation to make improper and unlawful use 
of money, not their own, with which they were intrusted. 
Thence it happened that sound principles of honesty in 
business gave way, and defalcations became many and wide- 
spread. Not a few, overcome with remorse at the fact that 
they had brought ruin and disgrace upon themselves and 
their families, were driven to the extremity of putting an 
end to their lives, realizing the truth of the Scripture say- 
ing, that " the way of the transgressor is hard." 

32. In spite of the many efforts put forth to suppress 
intemperance, this evil, too, whilst it has been reduced in 
some places, nevertheless continues to increase in the land 
at large. The same may be said of the free use of deadly 
weapons, exhibiting such a disregard of life and a dispo- 
sition to take the law into one's own hands as was never 
before known within our borders. No lad of a true manly 
spirit will fall into the habit of carrying a concealed 
weapon, neither will he touch the trashy papers which are 
filled with tales of violence. Because of all these things 
the land mourns, the day of rest is not rightly regarded, 
and the places of religious worship lack attenders. 

33. Finally, in reforming the civil service, some advance 
has been made. Yet, so deep is the evil of p>arty spirit 
that we have need to return to the lessons upon this subject 
to be found in Washington's farewell address, where he 
proceeds to warn his countrymen " in the most solemn 
manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party." 

34. None of the foregoinu; discouraging things is it 
pleasant to tell 'American boys and girls, who may have 
thought that our republic is glorious beyond all other re- 
publics or empires, and that we are altogether on the high 
road to prosperity. It may not seem exactly like a lesson 
in history to which they have been accustomed, and yet it 



1881] Garfield's Administration. 263 

is a chapter in the Present which they ought to know, 
and which it is for them, in part, to strive to alter for the 
better. 

35. Bat the chapter would still be incomplete were they 
not told, that many thousands of faithful men and women 
throughout the land, are prayerfully working to overcome 
every one of these evils, which threaten the purity and hap- 
piness of the people. All of every age, therefore, are called 
to this warfare : first, to overcome the rising evil in their 
own hearts, and then, to combat the evils which afflict 
society and their country. What patriot school-boy would 
ever wish it said of his beloved America, as was truthfully 
prophesied of Persia, Egypt, and other great empires of 
old, that " The nation that will not serve Thee shall be 
cut off" ? May this never be said of us, but, rather, may 
that happier strain of promise be our portion : " Blessed 
is that nation whose God is the Lord." 



Contemporary European Chronology. 

1863. Serfdom in Russia abolished by Czar Alexander II. 

1866. The German States at war; North German Confederation formed. 

1867. Paris Exposition ; 1873, that of Vienna. (1851. World's Fair, Londor.) 
1870. The Vatican Council of Pius IX. proclaims the infallibility dogma. 

Rome the capital of Italy; the Pope loses his temporal power. 

1S71. France, after war with Prussia, again a republic. Thiers, president. 

Communism in France, Socialism in Germany, Nihilism in Russia. 

1872. The Tribunal of Arbitration at Geneva settle the Alabama case. 

1878. War between Turkey and Russia concluded by Treaty of Berlin. 

1880. Famine in Ireland (less severe than in 1847). Land troubles. 

1881. Gladstone, the English premier, stops England's war against the Boers. 

Numerous earthquakes : one on the isle of Scio causes great loss of life. 

Persecuted Jews of Russia and Germany flee to other lands. 



Remarks on a Topical Review. 

The student having mastered the foregoing chapters page by page, reviewing 
each period gone over before entering upon the one following, will now show 
the measure of his real progress not simply by the evidence of his retention of 
the facts, but also by his readiness in generalization and comparison. This trial 
of the work accomplished, will test the teacher's faculty of imparting knowl- 
edge, as well as the pupil's capacity for acquiring and correctly applying it. 

In now requiring a theme — not to overrun (we will say) a page and a half 
of foolscap — uf>on such a proposition as, " Give an account of the English 
expeditions to America preceding the settlement of Jamestown," the pupil will 
have to be instructed so to balance his statements as not to begin by narrating 
the initial facts in full detail, whilst dismissing the remainder with chrono- 
logical conciseness. 

The merits of the different forms of colonial government having been pre- 
viously spoken upon as occasion arose, opportunity will here be afforded the 
student to enumerate the colonies which were, respectively, under charter, 
proprietary, and crown governments, or which had been under more than one 
of them, with his reasons for believing any one form to be preferable to the 
others. As affecting representation, the settling of people in towns in one 
section, and their remaining largely upon plantations in another, will form 
useful matter for a theme. So, itlso, the diversity which prevailed in the 
various colonies upon the subject of freedom in the exercise of religious belief, 
may be instructively inquired into. 

The causes and the results of the wars should be queried after more pointedly 
than any mere details of the battles, and the attempt be not made to have it ap- 
pear that in cases of dispute our own government has been always or altogether 
in the right. The war with Mexico may be instanced as a case in point, 
whilst an inquiry into the rightfulness of the summary removal of the tribe 
of the Cherokees may be consistently tried by the protests laid down in our 
own Declaration of Independence. Our treatment of the tribe named, and 
of various others, may likewise be dispassionately estimated by calling for a 
statement of the case of the French Neutrals, with whose pitiful experiences 
we have learned so to sympathize, whilst we correspondingly reprobate the 
harsh authors of their woes. 

Further, the moral and judicial superiority of settling all wars by peaceable 
methods will be a profitable inquiry, wherein instances may be adduced of the 
happy adjustment of sundry disputes by negotiation, by mediation, or by 
arbitration. The copious and carefully-prepared index found at the end of 
the volume will afford help in this as well as in other directions. 

264 



COURSE OF READING. 



GENERAL WORKS. 

Bancroft — Hildreth — Grahame — Bryant and Gay. 
The foregoing are not recommended for the youngest pupils. The list below 
includes, in a number of instances, the names of more than one work upon a 
single subject, in order that the student may have the greater latitude of 
choice, and also be not subjected to undue loss of time (if using a library) in 
waiting for a particular book. 

PERIOD I. 

Baldwin's "Ancient America." 

MacLean's "Mound-Builders." t 

Foster's " Pre-historic Races of the United States." 

Squier and Davis's "Ancient Monuments," in Smithsonian Contributions to 

Knowledge, vol. i. 
Articles on "American Ethnology," in Annual Reports of the Smithsonian 

Institution. 
Report on the Remains of the Cliff-Dwellers in " Geological and Geographical 

Survey of Colorado," 1876. 
American Indians. — Introduction to Parkman's "Jesuits in North America." 
Gallatin's Synopsis in " Archseologia Americana." 
Bancroft's History (Centenary Edition), vol. ii., chaps. 36-38. 
The large works of Schoolcraft and Catlin upon Indians east of the Rocky 

Mountains; that of II. H. Bancroft upon "The Native Races of the 

Pacific States." 
Poetry. — Longfellow's "Hiawatha"; Whittier's "Bridal of Pennacook." 

PEPJOD II. 

Anderson's "America not Discovered by Columbus." 
De Costa's " Pre-Columbian Discovery of America." 
Smith's (J. T.) " Discovery of America by the Northmen." 

23 265 



266 History of the United States. 

Irving's "Columbus" and "Companions of Columbus." 

Prescott's " Conquest of Mexico" and " Conquest of Peru." 

Helps's "Spanish Conquest of America." 

Sparks's Lives of Cabot and Ribault (Amer. Biog.). 

Higginson's "Young Folks' History of American Explorers." 

Parkman's "Pioneers of France in the New World." 

Parkman's " The Old Regime in Canada." 

Poetry. — Longfellow's "Skeleton in Armour"; Whittier's "Norsemen"; 
Lowell's "Columbus"; Barlow's "Columbiad"; Montgomery's "Green- 
land" and " West Indies." 



PEEIOD III. 

Parkman's "Jesuits in North America," "Discovery of the Great West," 
" Conspiracy of Pontiac." 

Cheever's " Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth." 

Sparks's Lives of Roger Williams, Eliot, Brainerd, Anne Hutchinson, Ogle- 
thorpe. 

Drake's " Indian Wars in New England." 

Leeds's Larger History, as to the Persecution in New England. 

Upham's "History of Witchcraft." 

Clarkson's or Dixon's " Life of William Penn." 

JefFerson's " Notes on Virginia." , 

STATE HISTORIES consult for special points in detail. 

Force's "Historical Tracts" and Hakluyt's "Voyages," to be found in many 
libraries, are of interest to consult, as they give the original relations of 
voyagers and colonizers. 

Poetry. — Whittier's "Cassandra Southwick," "King's Missive," "Pennsyl- 
vania Pilgrim"; Longfellow's "Courtship of Miles Standish," "New 
England Tragedies," " Evangeline." 



PEEIOD IV. 

Wecms's or Irving's " Life of Washington." 

Wirt's " Life of Patrick Henry." 

Parton's or Chaplin's "Franklin," or Franklin's "Autobiography." 

Frothingham's " Rise of the Republic." 

Thompson's "The United States as a Nation." 

Ellet's "Domestic History of the Revolution." 

NordhofFs " Politics for Young Americans." 

Licber's Essays on "The Growth of the Constitution." 

Preliminary chapter of Story's "Commentaries on the Constitution." 

Poetry. — Campbell's "Gertrude of Wyoming." 



Course of Reading. 267 



PEKIODS V. AND VI. 

Lossing's "War of 1812." 

Parton's " Life of Jackson" and " Life of Aaron Burr." 

Jay's " Review of the Mexican War." 

Wilson's " Rise and Fall of the Slave Power." 

Greeley's "American Conflict." 

Draper's " History of the Civil War." 

Pollard's " Lost Cause." 

Leland's " Life of Lincoln." 

Carpenter's " Six Months at the White House." 

Chaplin's ""Chips from the White House" (selections from letters and speeches 
of the Presidents). 

Coffin's " Reminiscences," or Still's "Underground Railroad." 

Many penny's " Our Indian Wards." 

II. H.'s "A Century of Dishonor." 

Poetry, etc. — Duyckinck's " Cyclopasdia of American Literature," or Cleve- 
land's " Compendium of American Literature." 

Bryant's " Prairies" ; Whittier's " Anti-Slavery Poems" and " In War Time"; 
Simms's "War Poetry of the South." 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 

[A brief table of South American events follows this.] 

874. The Northmen settle in Iceland. 

1U00. Greenland and New England coast visited by the Northmen. 
1492-'94-'9S. Columbus discovers the West India Islands. 

1496. John and Sebastian Cabot on the Labrador coast. 

1498. Sebastian Cabot's second voyage to the American shores. 

1501. Cortereal kidnaps natives on the Labrador coast. 

1502. Honduras coast explored by Columbus on his fourth and last voyage. 

1512. Cuba taken possession of by Don Velasquez. 
Florida discovered by Ponce de Leon. 

1513. Balboa discovers the Pacific Ocean. 

1517. Yucatan coast discovered by Fernandez. 

1518. Grijalva explores the shores of the Bay of Campeaehy. 

1519. Pineda explores the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico. 

1519. Cortez begins the conquest of Mexico. 

1520. De Ayllon visits the Carolina coast in quest of slaves. 

1524. Verrazzani's French expedition to the American shores. 

1525. Gomez, the Portuguese, sails northward as far as New England coast. 
1528. Narvaez explores the Florida interior. 

1534. Cartier's first expedition to the St. Lawrence. 

Montreal and Canada named by Cartier on his second expedition. 
1539. Coronado's search for the Seven Cities of Cibola. 

Alarcon ascends the Colorado River. 

1541. Cartier's and Roberval's voyages to Canada, or New France. 
The Mississippi discovered by Ferdinand de Soto. 

1542. Cabrillo on the California and Oregon coast. 
1562-'P>4. Ribault's expeditions to Carolina and Florida. 

1565. St. Augustine founded by the Spaniards. Negro slaves employed. 

1 570— '78. Frobisher's voyages to the northern seas. 

1579. Drake on the California coast : circumnavigates the globe. 

1579— *83. Humphrey Gilbert's two voyages to Newfoundland. 

15S2. Santa Fe, a mission station, established. 

1584. Raleigh's first Roanoke expedition of Amidas and Barlow. 

1585. The second expedition under Grenville. Tobacco and potatoes. 
1587. Raleigh's third expedition under John White. 

1592. Juan de Fuca discovers the straits which bear his name. 
208 



Chronological Table. 2G9 

1602. Gosnold crosses the ocean to the New England coast. 
1603-'5. Voyages of Pring and Weymouth to the same locality. 
1604. Port Royal, on the Bay of Fundy, settled by De Monts. 

1607. Popham and Raleigh Gilbert at the mouth of the Kennebec. 
Jamestown settled by English colonists. Captain Smith. 

1608. Quebec founded by Champlain. 

1609. Hudson ascends the river which bears his name. 

1610. Hudson's Bay explored by the navigator Hudson. 
The Dutch occupy Manhattan Island. 

1614. Captain John Smith names " New England," whose coast he had mapped. 

1615. The first Recollect priests come to Canada. 

1619. America's first representative assembly, at Jamestown. 
Negro slaves brought to Virginia by the Dutch. 

1620. Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. 

1621. Cotton first planted in the United States, at Jamestown. 

1622. 1644. Massacres of the Virginia settlers by the Indians. 

1623. Dover and Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, settled. 
Fort Orange, on the site of Albany, built by the Dutch. 

1625. Minuits, first director of New Netherland. 

1628. Puritans under Endicott settle at Salem. 

1629. Mason and Gorges divide their claims. 

1630. Boston founded. John Winthrop, first governor of Massachusetts. 

1633. Dutch and English build trading-posts on the Connecticut. 

1634. St. Mary's, Maryland, settled by Calvert's colonists. 
1636. Roger Williams banished. Providence founded. 

The Pequod War. 

Hooker and Stone settle at Hartford. 

1638. New Haven settled by Eaton and Davenport. 

Rhode Island Plantation founded. (1644. Unites with Providence.) 

Harvard College founded. 

Swedes settle at Fort Christina, — the site of Wilmington. 

1639. The popular Constitution of Connecticut adopted. 

1640. The Psalms printed upon the first printing-press in America. 

1641. New Hampshire annexed to Massachusetts. 

1641— '45. Kieft's wars with the Raritans and Hackensacks. 
1643-'65. Confederacy of the United Colonies of New England. 
1646. Eliot begins his labors on behalf of the Indians. 
The Clayborne troubles in Maryland. 

1650. The Huron nation dispersed by the Iroquois. 

1651. The Dutch build Fort Casimir,— site of New Castle. 

1653. Maine attached to Massachusetts (until 1820). 

1654. The Dutch under Governor Stuyvesant take New Sweden. 
1656. Persecution of the Quakers in New England begins. 
1660. The first Navigation Act goes into operation. 

23* 



270 History of the United States. 

1660. Clarendon colony settled by New Englanders. 

1662. Quaker exiles from Virginia settle on Albemarle Sound. 

1664. New Netherland falls into the hands of the English. 

1665. Emigrants from Barbadoes settle in Clarendon. 

1670. Charleston settled by emigrants under Governor Sayle. 

1673. Grant of Virginia to Lords Culpeper and Arlington. 
The Mississippi re-discovered by Marquette. 

1674. Andros becomes governor of New York. 
Salem, New Jersey, settled by Fenwick. 

1675-'76. King Philip's War in New England. 

1677. Burlington, New Jersey, settled by Friends under Thos. Olive. 

1679. Hennepin explores the upper Mississippi region. 

La Salle descends the Mississippi. Louisiana named. 
16S1. Penn sends his deputy to the Indians of the Delaware. 

1682. Penn's treaty with the Indians. Philadelphia founded. 

1683. Seth Sothel governor of the Albemarle settlements. 
1681. The Massachusetts charter forfeited. 

1688. Protest of Germantown Friends against slavery. 
1688-'90. The Leisler dispute in New York as to the governorship. 
16S8-'93. The witchcraft mania prevails in New England. 

1689. The first war between the French and English colonists. 
1689-1715. Maryland's government under the crown. 

1691. A separate Legislature allowed the Three Counties on Delaware. 
1693— '96. Pennsylvania under a royal governor, Fletcher. 

1694. Maryland's seat of government changed to Annapolis. 
Rice introduced into South Carolina. 

1695. John Archdale governor of Carolina. 

1696. Colonial affairs directed by Parliament instead of by the king's council. 

1697. Peace of Ryswick terminates King William's War. 

1701. Detroit founded by the French. 

1702. Second intercolonial war begins. 
Mobile founded by the French. 

East and West Jersey united under the royal governor Cornbury. 

1712. A colonial bank started in South Carolina. 
The Tuscaroras join the Five Nations. 

1713. Peace of Utrecht ends Queen Anne's War. 
1718. New Orleans founded by Bienville. 
1722. War with the Norridgewocks of Maine. 

1726. Concord, on the Merrimac, laid out. The city of Baltimore founded. 
1729-39. French War with the Natchez and Chickasaws. 
1729. The proprietors of Carolina sell their rights to the crown. 

1732. Second month (February) 22. George Washington born. 

1733. Savannah founded by Oglethorpe. 

1737. The Wesleys and Whiteficld in Georgia. Great Awakening. 



Chronological Table. 271 

1737. The Walking Purchase. 

1739. Oglethorpe's colonists engage in the war with Spain. 

17-10. Bethlehem settled by Moravians. Zeisberger. 

1713. Third intercolonial war commences. 

1745. Louisburg captured. Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. 

David Brainerd labors among the Indians. 
1749. Halifax built by the English. Bennington settled. 
1754. Council at Albany. Franklin's plan for a federal union. 

1754. Fourth and last intercolonial war begins. 

1755. Braddock's defeat near Fort Du Quesne. 
Dispersion of the French Neutrals of Acadia. 

1756. Massacre at Fort William Henry. 
1759. Capture of Quebec by the English. 

1763. The peace of Paris ends the French and Indian War. 

Conspiracy of Pontiac. Detroit besieged. 
1763— '67. Mason's and Dixon's line surveyed. 

1764— '75. Benjamin Franklin in England as the agent of the colonies. 
1765. Stamp Act passed by Parliament. 

Declaration of colonial rights and grievances issued. 

1767. Tax on tea imposed. 

1768. Tennessee and Kentucky begin to be settled. 

1770. The Boston massacre. 

1771. Battle with the Begulators at Alamance. 

1773. Cargoes of tea sent from England refused or destroyed. 

1 774. Boston Port Bill. 

1774. Continental Congress convenes at Philadelphia. 

1775. Battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill. 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point captured. 
Unsuccessful expedition against Canada. 

1776. Boston evacuated by the British. 
Declaration of Independence. 
Washington's army evacuates New York. 
Battles of Trenton and Princeton. 

1777. Burgoyne's campaign. Battles of Stillwater and Saratoga. 
British occupy Philadelphia. Battle of Germantown. 
Articles of confederation proposed. (Adopted in 1781.) 

1778. French fleet sent from France to aid the Americans. 
Battle of Monmouth Court-House. 

Massacre of Wyoming. 

1779. British in Georgia and on Long Island Sound. 
Sullivan's Indian expedition. 

Naval engagement, — Bonhomme Richard and Serapis. 

1780. Campaign in South Carolina. Camden and King's Mountain. 
Treason of Arnold. 



272 History of the United States. 

1781. Army and monetary troubles. Bank of North America founded. 

Battles of Guilford Court-House and Eutaw Springs. 

Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown. 
1783. Treaty of peace with Great Britain, at Versailles. 

Washington resigns his commission as general-in-chief. 

1786. Shays's rebellion in Massachusetts. 

1787. A constitution framed for the republic. 
Organization of the North-West Territory. 
Fitch's steamboat on the Delaware. 

1789. George Washington inaugurated first President. 

1790. The Miami War in Ohio. 

1791. Vermont admitted into the Union. 
Whiskey insurrection in Pennsylvania. 

1792. Kentucky admitted into the Union. Cotton-gin invented. 
1794. War with France prevented. Citizen Genet. 

Treaty with Spain secures the free navigation of the Mississippi. 
1796. Tennessee admitted into the Union. 

1799. Death of Washington, at Mount Vernon. 
War with France again averted. 

1800. The Sedition and Alien Laws passed. 
Washington City becomes the national capital. 

1802. Ohio admitted into the Union. 

1803. Purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France. 
1S04. War with Tripoli. Duel between Burr and Hamilton. 

Lewis and Clarke on the upper Missouri and Columbia. 
1806-'08. British and French Blockade Acts. 

1807. Trial of Aaron Burr. Embargo Act. 
Fulton's steamboat on the Hudson. 

Affair of the Chesapeake. Right of search asserted. 

1808. Minister Monroe's treaty with England. 

1811. Second naval battle off the Virginia Capes. 
War with Tecumseh in Indiana Territory. 

1812. Louisiana admitted into the Union. 

War with Great Britain. Operations about Detroit. 
1S13. Battles on and near Lake Erie. 

General Jackson sent against the Creeks. 

1814. American successes near Niagara. Engagement on Lake Champlain. 
British advance on Washington and Baltimore. 

Hartford Convention. 

1815. Battle of New Orleans. Peace declared. 

1816. War with Algiers. Indiana admitted. 
American Colonization Society organized. 
Second Bank of the United States chartered. 
Commercial distress. 



Chronological Table. 273 

1817. Mississippi admitted into the Union. 
The first Seminole War. 

1818. Illinois admitted into the Union. 

1819. Alabama admitted into the Union. 

1820. Missouri Compromise Act. Maine admitted. 

1821. Florida purchased from Spain. 
Missouri admitted into the Union. 

1822. Convention with Great Britain condemns the slave-trade. 
Northern boundary line through the Lakes settled. 

1823. Monroe Doctrine announced. 
Period of Internal Improvements. 

1825. Treaty with the Creeks at Indian Springs. 
1S26. Decease of ex-Presidents Adams and Jefferson. 

First railroad in the United States — horse-power. 
1S28. Congress enacts a tariff. 

1831. Cherokees lose their lands. Removed, 1838. 

First locomotive engine — on South Carolina Railroad. 

1832. Nullification in South Carolina. 

Electric telegraph invented. First line operated, 1843. 
1S33. Great meteoric shower. 

Anti Slavery Society organized. 

1834. Black-Hawk War. 

1835. Great fire in New York. 
Second Seminole War. 

1836. United States Bank fails. 
Arkansas admitted into the Union. 

1837. Panic and commercial distress. 
Rebellion in Canada. 

Michigan admitted into the Union. 
1838-'42. Wilkes Exploring Expedition. 

1841. Decease of President Harrison. 
Ashburton Treaty. Maine boundary settled. 

1842. Suffrage dispute in Rhode Island. 

1845. Texas annexed to the Union. Florida admitted. 
Emigration from Europe sets in strongly. 

1846. Oregon boundary question settled. 
Iowa received into the Union. 
War with Mexico. 

1847. Scott's march from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. 
New Mexico and California occupied. 

1848. Wilmot Proviso debated. 
Gold discovered in California. 
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. 
Wisconsin admitted into the Union. 



274 History of the United States. 

1849. The Omnibus Bill. 

1850. President Taylor dies. Great fire at Philadelphia. 
California admitted into the Union. 
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, as to the Isthmus of Darien. 

1853. The Gadsden Purchase. Treaty with Japan. 

1854. Kansas-Nebraska Bill passed. 

1855. Construction of the Panama Kailway completed. 
1S57. Lecompton Constitution. Dred Scott decision. 
1858. Minnesota received into the Union. 

1S59. Oregon admitted into the Union. John Brown raid. 

1860. Secession of South Carolina. 

1S61. Confederate government organized. Fort Sumter bombarded. 

Kansas admitted into the Union. 

Battles of Big Bethel, Bull Run, and Ball's Bluff. 

Harper's Ferry and Norfolk given up. 

Capture of Mason and Slidell. 

1862. Operations on the Western rivers. New Orleans captured. 
The Merrimac and Monitor engagement. 

McClellan's advance against Richmond. 
Lee's invasion of Maryland. 
Battle of Fredericksburg. 

1863. Emancipation Proclamation. West Virginia admitted into the Union. 
National banks organized in the States. 

Battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. 
Capture of Vicksburg and Chattanooga. 
Siege of Charleston continues. The Draft. 

1564. Nevada admitted into the Union. Thirteenth amendment passed. 
Grant's advance on Richmond. 

Early's invasion and Sheridan's pursuit. 
Sherman in Georgia. Thomas in Tennessee. 

1565. Sherman in Carolina. 

Proposals of peace by the Confederates. 

Lee and Johnston surrender their armies.- 

Richmond evacuated, and end of the war. 

Assassination of President Lincoln. 

Freedmen's Bureau organized. Discontinued, 1871. 

1866. Great fire in Portland. 

First trans-Atlantic cible laid between America and Europe. 
1866-'68. The Union and Central Pacific Railroads built. 

1867. Purchase of Alaska. Peabody fund bestowed. 
Nebraska admitted into the Union. Bankrupt Law. 

1868. Reconstruction Committee. Cabinet resign, except Stanton. 
President Johnson impeached. 

Fourteenth amendment adopted. 



Chronological Table. 275 

1S68. Southern States reorganize. 

The French evacuate Mexico, after four years' tenure. 
Burlingame Treaty with China. 

1869. The Peace Policy of Indian treatment begun by President Grant. 

1870. Fifteenth amendment. Enforcement Act. 

1871. Great fire at Chicago. 1872. Great fire at Boston. 
Treaty of Washington. 

1872. Geneva Tribunal of Arbitration. 

1873. Modoc War. Women's Temperance Movement. 
Panic and financial depression until 1879. 

1876. Colorado admitted into the Union. 
Black Hills irruption, and Sioux War. 
Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. 

Joint High Commission upon the Presidential election. 

1877. Railroad strike. Fisheries dispute settled. 
Specie payments resumed. Nez Perce's War. 

1878. Yellow fever epidemic. 

1879. New treaty with China concerning immigration. 

1880. The interoceanic canal project revived. 
1SS1. President Garfield assassinated. 



SOUTH AMERICAN CHRONOLOGY. 

1 198. Columbus on the north coast, near the mouth of the Orinoco. 

1499. Vespucci and Ojeda on the Venezuelan coast. 

1500. Pinzon on the coast of Brazil, which country the Portuguese settle. 
1513. Balboa crosses the Isthmus of Darien and sees the Pacific. 

1515. De Solis at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. 

1520. Magellan sails between Patagonia and Terra del Fuego. 

1526. Sebastian Cabot ascends the Parana River to Corrientes. 

1531. Peru, invaded by Pizarro, becomes a Spanish province. 

1537. Almagro, an associate of Pizarro, and Valdivia (1540) enter Chili. 

1540. Orellana explores the Amazon from its source to its mouth. 

1610. A Dutch navigator, Schouten, discovers the route around Cape Horn. 

Note. — All of South America, except Brazil and Guiana, became subject to 
Spain, and continued so during nearly three centuries. 

Brazil, from 1578 to 1640, was under the control of Holland and Spain ; it 
then reverted to Portugal. In 1807, the royal government of Portugal was 
for a short period, in consequence of Napoleon's invasion, transferred to Brazil. 
In 1823, Brazil became an independent empire, the only one now in America. 
Under Dom Pedro II. gradual emancipation of the slaves was decreed, — all 
born after 1871 to be free. 

Argentine Confederation, formerly known as Buenos Ayres, having re- 
volted from Spain, became an independent republic in 1816. The political 
condition of the country remains unsettled. 

Uruguay, or Banda Oriental, was settled by the Spaniards. Portugal 
claiming the northern part of Uruguay as a part of Brazil, a contest ensued 
therefor, terminating in favor of Spain. Uruguay remained a viceroyalty 
of Buenos Ayres until 1828, when, through the mediation of England, it 
became an independent republic. 

Paraguay. — In 1767, the Jesuits, who had established missions in the 
country, were expelled. In 1810, Paraguay separated from Buenos Ayres, 
and, from 1814 to 1842, was under the power of the Dictator, Doctor Francia. 
In 1846, Carlos Antonio Lopez became president for life, and was succeeded in 
1862 by his son. 

Chili, in 1817, became a republic, renouncing the government of Spain. 
In 1879, war between Chili and Peru and Bolivia broke out for the possession 
of the Tarapaca nitrate-beds. In 1881, Patagonia was partitioned between 
Chili and the Argentine Confederation, and the Straits of Magellan were 
declared to be forever neutral to the vessels of all nations. 
276 



South American Chronology. 277 

Peru, in 1821, revolted from Spain, and became a republic. With a good 
government, its silver-mines, deposits of guano, and beds of nitrate would 
have made it a flourishing country, but it has long been a prey to contending 
factions, its business has been chiefly left to foreigners, and Chinese coolies 
have been employed to perform the work which the indolent natives refuse. 

Bolivia, originally a part of Peru, separated from that country in 1S21, and 
became a republic the following year. Simon Bolivar, called the Liberator, 
gave the country a constitution and its name. The constitution of the country 
requires the election of a president every four years, as is the case with us; 
but this provision has been little regarded in practice during the past forty 
years, the government of the country being usurped by the military com- 
mander who proves himself the strongest. 

Colombia, comprising New Granada, Venezuela, and Ecuador, threw off the 
yoke of Spain, and were united as a single republic under Bolivar, in 1819. 
This connection was afterward dissolved (1830), and three separate republics 
formed, New Granada assuming the name of the United States of Colombia. 

Guiana was occupied by the Dutch as early as the year 1580, at which time 
they established trading-stations on the coast. In 1595, Sir Walter Raleigh 
headed an expedition thither in search of the fabled El Dorado, a city which 
was reputed to abound in gold and gems. The western portion of Guiana came 
under the control of the British in 1803; the central portion belongs to the 
Dutch; the eastern section, known as Cayenne, is the chief penal colony of 
France. 

CENTRAL AMERICA. 

Central America, or Guatemala, was peopled by a native tribe, the Mayas, 
at the time of the conquest of the country by Alvarado, one of the captains 
of Cortez. Guatemala remained a Spanish province until 1821, when a repub- 
lican form of government was adopted, with the title of the " United States of 
Central America." Dissensions, however, arose among the five States, — Hon- 
duras, San Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, — and in 1839 
they became independent of each other. They have often since then been in 
a state of anarchy. Centuries ago, Central America, like Mexico and Yuca- 
tan on the north, and Peru on the south, was peopled by a race (the Toltecs) 
whose many sculptured monuments betoken a civilization much beyond that 
of the present occupants of its soil. * 



24 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 



A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of 
America, in Congress Assembled, Adopted July 4, 1776. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people 
to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and 
to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to 
which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect 
to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which 
impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident — that all men are created equal; 
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ; that 
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ; that, to secure 
these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers 
from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of government 
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to 
abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such 
principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most 
likety to affect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that 
governments long established should not be changed for light and transient 
causes; and, accordingly, all experience hath shown that mankind are more 
disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by nbolish- 
ing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses 
and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to re- 
duce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw 
off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. 
Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies, and such is now the 
necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. 
The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated in- 
juries and usurpations, all having, in direct object, the establishment of an 
absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to 
a candid world : 

He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the 
public good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing im- 
portance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained ; 
and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. 
278 



Declaration of Independence. 279 

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts 
of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation 
in the Legislature — a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants 
only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, 
and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose 
of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for opposing with manly 
firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. 

He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others to be 
elected, whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned 
to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining, in the mean 
time, exposed to all the danger of invasion from without and convulsions 
within. 

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that pur- 
pose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners, refusing to pass 
others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new 
appropriations of lands. 

He has obstructed the administration of justice by refusing his assent to 
laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of their 
offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers 
to harass our people and eat out their substance. 

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the 
consent of our Legislature. 

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the 
civil power. 

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our 
Constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts 
of pretended legislation : 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us : 

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any murders 
which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states: 

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world : 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent: 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury : 

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offences : 

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, 
establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries, so 
as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same 
absolute rule into these colonies : 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and alter- 
ing fundamentally the powers of our governments : 



280 History of the United States. 

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested 
with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

He has abdicated government here by declaring us out of his protection, 
and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed 
the lives of our people. 

He is, at this time, transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to 
complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun, with 
circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous 
ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. 

He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to 
bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends 
and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to 
bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose 
known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, 
and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the 
most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by re- 
peated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which 
may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have 
warned them, from time to time, of attempts made by their Legislature to 
extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of 
the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed 
to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them, by the 
ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would 
inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They, too, have 
been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. AVe must, therefore, 
acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them, as 
we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in Gen- 
eral Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the 
rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good 
people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these United Colo- 
nies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states ; that they are 
absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political con- 
nection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, 
totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they have full 
power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and 
to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. 
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection 
of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, 
and our sacred honor. 



Declaration of Independence. 



281 



The foregoing declaration was, by order of Congress, engrossed, and signed 
by the following members : 

John Hancock. 
Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, 
George Ross. 

Delaware. — Ctesar Rodney, George 
Read, Thomas M'Kean. 

Maryland. — Samuel Chase, William 
Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll, 
of Carrollton. 

Virginia. — George Wythe, Richard 
Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benja- 
min Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., 
Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Brax- 
ton. 

North Carolina. — William Hooper, 
Joseph Hewes, John Penn. 

South Carolina. — Edward Rut- 
ledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas 
Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton. 

Georgia. — Button Gwinnett, Lj-man 
Hall, George Walton. 



New Hamj)shire. — Josiah Bartlett, 
William Whipple, Matthew Thornton. 

Massachusetts Bay. — Samuel Ad- 
ams, John Adams, Robert Treat 
Paine, Elbridge Gerry. 

llltode Island. — Stephen Hopkins, 
William Ellery. 

Connecticut. — Roger Sherman, Sam- 
uel Huntington, William Williams, 
Oliver Wolcott. 

New York. — William Floyd, Philip 
Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis 
Morris. 

New Jersey. — Richard Stockton, 
John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkin- 
son, John Hart, Abraham Clark. 

Pennsylvania. — Robert Morris, Ben- 
jamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, 
John Morton, George Clymer, James 



24* 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Preamble. 
We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, 
establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, 
promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves 
and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United 
States of America. 

ARTICLE I. Legislative Department. 
Section I. Congress in General. 
All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the 
United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. 

Section II. House of Iie2^resentatives. 

Clause 1. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members 
chosen every second year by the people of the several States; and the electors 
in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most 
numerous branch of the State Legislature. 

Clause 2. No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained 
to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United 
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State in 
which he shall be chosen. 

Clause 3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the 
several States which may be included within this Union, according to their 
respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number 
of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and ex- 
cluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enu- 
meration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Con- 
gress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, 
in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives 
shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each State shall have at 
least one representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State 
of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, 
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York 
six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Vir- 
ginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three. 
282 



Constitution of the United States. 283 

Clause 4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the 
executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. 

Clause 5. The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and 
other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. 

Section III. Senate. 

Clause 1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators 
from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six years, and each 
senator shall have one vote. 

Clause 2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the 
first election, they shall be divided, as equally as may be, into three classes. 
The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration 
of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, 
and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third 
may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen, by resignation or 
otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any State, the executive 
thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the 
Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. 

Clause 3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the 
age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and 
who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall 
be chosen. 

Clause 4. The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the 
Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. 

Clause 5. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president 
pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise 
the office of President of the United States. 

Ctause 6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. 
When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When 
the President of the United States is tried, the chief justice shall preside; 
and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of 
the members present. 

Clause 7. Judgment in case of impeachment shall not extend farther than 
to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of 
honor, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party convicted shall, 
nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punish- 
ment according to law. 

Section IV. Both Houses. 

Clause 1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and 
representatives shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; 
but the Congress may at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, 
except as to the place of choosing senators. 

Clause 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such 



284 History of the United States. 

meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law 
appoint a different day. 

Section V. The Houses separately. 

Clause 1. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and quali- 
fications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum 
to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may 
be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner 
and under such penalties as each house may provide. 

Clause 2. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its 
members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, 
expel a member. 

Clause 3. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from 
time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment 
require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, on 
any question, shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on 
the journal. 

Clause 4. Neither house during the session of Congress shall, without the 
consent of the other, adjourn for more than three clays, nor to any other place 
than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. 

Section VI. Disabilities of Members. 
Clause 1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation 
for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the 
United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of 
the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of 
their respective houses, and in going to or returning from the same; and for 
any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other 
place. 

Clause 2. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he 
was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United 
States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have 
been increased, during such time; and no person holding any office under the 
United States shall be a member of either house during his continuance in 
office. 

Section VII. Mode of jmssiug Laws. 

Clause 1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Repre- 
sentatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments, as on 
other bills. 

Clause 2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives 
and the Senate shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of 
the United States; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return 
it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated, who 
shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider 



Constitution of the United States. 285 

it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass 
the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by 
which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that 
house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both houses 
shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for 
and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. 
If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays 
excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in 
like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment 
prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law. 

Clause 3. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the 
Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question 
of adjournment), shall be presented to the President of the United States; and 
before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or, being disap- 
proved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of 
Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case 
of a bill. 

Section VIII. Powers granted to Congress. 

The Congress shall have power — 

Clause 1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the 
debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United 
States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the 
United States; 

Clause 2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States; 

Clause 3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several 
States, and with the Indian tribes; 

Clause 4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws 
on the subject of bankruptcies, throughout the United States; 

Clause 5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof and of foreign coin, and 
fix the standard of weights and measures; 

Clause 6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and 
current coin of the United States; 

Clause 7. To establish post-offices and post-roads; 

Clause 8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for 
limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective 
writings and discoveries ; 

Clause 9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; 

Clause 10. To define and punish felonies committed en the high seas, and 
offences against the law of nations; 

Clause 11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make 
rules concerning captures on land and water; 

Clause 12. To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of money to 
that use shall be for a longer term than two years; 

Clause 13. To provide and maintain a navy; 



286 History of the United States. 

Clause 14. To make rules for the government and regulation of the land 
and naval forces; 

Clause 15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the 
Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions; 

Clause 16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia., 
and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the 
United States, reserving to the States respectively the appointment of the 
officers and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline 
prescribed by Congress; 

Clause 17. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over 
such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular 
States and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of government of the 
United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased, by the 
consent of the Legislature of the State in which the same shall be, for the 
erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings ; 
and 

Clause 18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carry- 
ing into execution the foregoing powers; and all other powers vested by this 
Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or 
officer thereof. 

Section IX. Powers denied to the United States. 

Clause 1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States 
now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Con- 
gress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight; but a tax or 
duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each 
person. 

Clause 2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended 
unless when, in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. 

Clause 3. No bill of attainder, or ex-post-facto law, shall be passed. 

Clause 4. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion 
to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. 

Clause 5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State. 

Clause 6. No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or 
revenue to the ports of one State over those of another ; nor shall vessels 
bound to or from one State be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another. 

Clause 7. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in consequence 
of appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement and account of the 
receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to 
time. 

Clause 8. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States ; and no 
person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without the con- 
sent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any 
kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign State. 



Constitution of the United States. 287 



Section X. Powers denied to the States. 

Clause 1. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; 
grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make 
any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any 
bill of attainder, ex-post-facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts ; 
or grant any title of nobility. 

Clause 2. No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any im- 
posts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary 
for executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and im- 
posts laid by any State on imports or exports shall be for the use of the treas- 
ury of the United States ; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and 
control of the Congress. s 

Clause 3. No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of 
tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agree- 
ment or compact with another State or with a foreign power, or engage in war. 
unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delays. 

ARTICLE II. Executive Department. 
Section I. President and Vice-President. 

Clause 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United 
States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, 
together with the Vice-President, chosen for the same term, be elected as 
follows : 

Clause 2. Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature 
thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of sena- 
tors and representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress ; 
but no senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit 
under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. 

Clause 3. [Altered by Amendment XII.] The electors shall meet in their 
respective States, and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall 
not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make 
a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which 
list they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the govern- 
ment of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The Presi- 
dent of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The 
person having the greatest number of votes shall be the President/if such 
number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if there 
be more limn one who have such majority, and have an equal number of votes, 
then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by ballot one of 
them for President; and if no person have a majority, then, from the five 
highest on the list, the said house shall in like manner choose the President. 
But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the repre- 



288 History of the United States. 

sentation from each State having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall 
consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority 
of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice 
of the President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the 
electors shall be the Vice-President. But if there should remain two or more 
who have equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice- 
President. 

Clause 4. The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, 
and the day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall be the same 
throughout the United States. 

Clause 5. No person except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the United 
States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the 
office of President ; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall 
not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a 
resident within the United States. 

Clause 6. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, 
resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, 
the same shall devolve on the Vice-President; and the Congress may by law 
provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the 
President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall then act as Presi- 
dent; and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed or 
a President shall be elected. 

Clause 7. The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a com- 
pensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period 
for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that 
period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them. 

Clause 8. Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the 
following oath or affirmation : 

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of 
President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, 
protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." 

Section II. Powers of the President. 

Clause 1. The President shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy 
of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called into 
the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion in writing 
of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject 
relating* to the duties of their respective offices: and he shall have power to 
grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in 
cases of impeachment. 

Clause 2. lie shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; 
and he shall nominate, and by .and with the advice and consent of the Senate 
shall appoint, ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, judges of the 



Constitution of the United States. 289 



Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments 
are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law; 
but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers as 
they think proper in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads 
of departments. 

Clause 3. The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may 
happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions, which shall 
expire at the end of their next session. 

Section III. Duties of the President. 
He shall, from time to time, give to the Congress information of the state 
of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall 
judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene 
both houses, or either of them: and in case of disagreement between them, 
with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as" 
he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; 
he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission 
all the officers of the United States. 

Section IV. Impeachment of the President. 
The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the United States, 
shall be removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, 
bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE III. Judicial Department. 
Section I. United States Courts. 
The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme 
Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may from time to time ordain 
and establish. The judges, both of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall 
hold their offices during good behavior; and shall, at stated times, receive for 
their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their 
continuance in office. 

Section II. Jurisdiction of the United States Courts. 
Clause]. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and equity 
arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties 
made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all cases alTccting 
ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls: to all cases of admiralty and 
maritime jurisdiction : to controversies to which the United States shall be a 
party ; to controversies between two or more States ; between a State and citi- 
zens of another State; between citizens of different States; between citizens 
of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States ; and between 
a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens, or subjects. [Al- 
tered by Amendment XI.] 

t 25 



290 History of the United States. 

Clause 2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and con- 
suls, and those in which a State shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have 
original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme 
Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such 
exceptions, and under such regulations, as the Congress shall make. 

Clause 3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be 
by jury; and such trial shall be held in the State where the said crimes shall 
have been committed ; but when not committed within any State, the trial shall 
be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have directed. 

Section III. Treason. 
Clause 1. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying 
war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and com- 
fort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two 
witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court. 
. Clause 2. The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of trea- 
son ; but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, 
except during the life of the person attainted. 

ARTICLE IV. 
Section I. State Records. 
Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public acts, records, 
and judicial proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may, by 
general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceed- 
ings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 

Section II. Privileges of Citizens, etc. 

Clause 1. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and 
immunities of citizens in the several States. 

Clause 2. A person charged in any State with treason, felon}', or other 
crime, who shall flee from justice and be found in another State, shall, on de- 
mand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered 
up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. 

Clause 3. No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws 
thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation 
therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on 
claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. 

Section III. New States and Territories. 
Clause 1. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union ; but 
no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other 
State; nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States, or parts 
of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as 
well as of the Congress. 



Constitution of the United States. 291 

Clause 2. The Congress shall have power to dispose of, and make all need- 
ful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging 
to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as 
to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any particular State. 

Section IV. Guarantee to the States. 
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a republican 
form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and, on 
application of the Legislature, or of the executive (when the Legislature can- 
not be convened), against domestic violence. 

ARTICLE V. Power of Amendment. 
The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, 
shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the 
Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a convention for 
proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and 
purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures 
of three-fourths of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths 
thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by Con- 
gress; provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the year 
one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and 
fourth clauses in the ninth section of the First Article; and that no State, 
without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. 

ARTICLE VI. Public Debt, Supremacy of the Constitution, Oath of 
Office, Religious Test. 

Clause 1. All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the 
adoption of this Constitution shall be as valid against the United States under 
this Constitution as under the Confederation. 

Clause 2. This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall 
be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, 
under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; 
and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Consti- 
tution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 

Clawte 3. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the mem- 
bers of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, 
both of the United States and of the several Stiites, shall be bound by oath or 
affirmation to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be 
required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. 

ARTICLE VII. Ratification of the Constitution. 
The ratification of the Conventions of nine States shall be sufficient for the 
establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same. 



292 



History of the United States. 



Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the States present, the 
seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven 
hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States 
of America the twelfth. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed 
our names. 

George Washington, President and Deputy from Virginia. 



New Hampshire. — John Langdon, 
Nicholas Oilman. 

Massachusetts. — Nathaniel Gorham, 
Rufus King. 

Connecticut. — Win-. Samuel John- 
son, Roger Sherman. 

New York. — Alexander Hamilton. 

New Jersty. — William Livingston, 
William Patterson, David Brearley, 
Jonathan Dayton. 

Pennsylvania. — -Benjamin Franklin, 
Robert Morris, Thomas Fitzsimons, 
James Wilson, Thomas Mifflin, George 
Clymer, Jared Ingcrsoll, Gouverneur 
Morris. 

Attest, 



Delaware. — George Read, John 
Dickinson, Jacob Broom, Gunning 
Bedford, Jr., Richard Bassctt. 

Maryland. — James M'Henry, Dan- 
iel Carroll, Daniel of St. Tho. Jenifer. 

Virginia. — John Blair, Jas. Madi- 
son, Jr. 

North Carolina. — William Blount, 
Hugh Williamson, Richard Dobbs 
Spaight. 

,Soitth Carolina. — John Rutledge, 
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Pierce 
Butler. 

Georgia. — William Few, Abraham 
Baldwin. 

William Jackson, Secretary. 



AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE I. Freedom of Religion, etc. 
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or pro- 
hibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of 
the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the 
government for a redress of grievances. 

Article II. Right to Bear Arms. 
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the 
right of the people to keep and benr arms shall not be infringed. . 

Article III. Quartering Soldiers on Citizens. 
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the 
consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by 
law. 



Constitution of the United States. 295 

Article IV. Search Warrants. 
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and 
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and 
no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirma- 
tion, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or 
things to be seized. 

Article V. Trial for Crime, etc. 
No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, 
unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising 
in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in active service in time of 
war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to 
be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall be compelled, in any criminal 
case, to be a witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or 
property, without due process of law ; nor shall private property be taken for 
public use without just compensation. 

Article VI. Iiiyhts of Accused Persons. 
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy 
and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the 
crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously 
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusa- 
tion ; to be confronted with the witnesses against him ; to have compulsory 
process for obtaining •witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of 
counsel for his defence. 

Article VII. Suits at Common Law. 
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty 
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved; and no fact tried by a 
jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States than 
according to the rules of the common law. 

Article VIII. Excessive Bail. 
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel 
and unusual punishment inflicted. 

Article IX. 
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed 
to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 

Article X. 
The powers not granted to the United States by the Constitution, nor pro- 
hibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the 
people. 

25* 



29-1: History of the United States. 



Article XI. 
The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to 
any suit in law <>r equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United 
States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign 

State. 

Article XII. Mode of choosing the President and Vice-President. 

Clause]. The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by 
ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an 
inhabitant of the same State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots 
the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for 
as Vice-President; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for 
as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the num- 
ber of votes for each, which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit, 
sealed, to the seat of government of the United States, directed to the Presi- 
dent of the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the 
Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes 
shall then be counted; the person having the greatest number of votes for 
President shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole 
number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from 
the persons having the highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of 
those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose imme- 
diately by ballot the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall 
be taken by States, the representation from each State having one vote; a 
quorum for this purpose shall eunsist of a member or members from two-thirds 
of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. 
And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President, whenever 
the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March 
next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case 
of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. 

Clause 2. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-Presi- 
dent shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole 
number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from 
the two highest numbers on the list the Senate shall choose the Vice-President ; 
a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of 
Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. 

Clause 3. Rut no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President 
shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. 

Article XIII. 

Clause 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punish- 
ment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist 
within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Clause 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate 
legislation. 



Constitution of the United States. 295 

Article XIV. 

Clause 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject 
to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State 
wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall 
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor 
shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due 
process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal 
protection of the laws. 

Clause 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States 
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons 
in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at 
any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the 
United States, representatives in Congress, the executive and judicial officers 
of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the 
male members of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the 
United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion or 
other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the propor- 
tion which the number of such' male citizens shall bear to the whole number 
of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State. 

Clause 3. No person shall be a senator or representative in Congress, or 
elector of President or Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, 
under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an 
oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a 
member of any Strife Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any 
State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in 
insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the 
enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each house, 
remove such disability. 

Clause 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized 
by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for 
services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But 
neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obliga- 
tion incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or 
any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obliga- 
tions, and claims shall be held illegal and void. 

Clause 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce by appropriate legisla- 
tion the provisions of this article. 

Article XV. 

Clause 1. The right of the citizens of the United States to vote shall not be 
denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of race, color, 
or previous condition of servitude. 

Clause 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce by appropriate legisla- 
tion the provisions of this article. 



INDEX AND PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY. 



Abenakis (ab-en-ah'keez), 16. 

Ab'cr-crom-bie, General, 99. 

Abolitionists, 175, ISO. 

A-ca'dia, 38, 67, 94, 98. 

Adams, John, 110, 119, 137, 140, 159. 

Adams, John Q., 156. 

Adams, Samuel, 122. 

Agriculture, Department of, 243. 

neglected, 94, 120. 
Aix-la-Chapelle (aiks-lah-sha-pel'j, 

97. 
Alabama, 134, 182. 
Alabama, career of the, 192. 

claims, 211. 
Al'a-mance, 102. 
Alarcon {al-ar-koit'), 29. 
Alaska, 205, 231, 238, 245. 
Albany, 51, 122. 
Albemarle, 84, 1SS. 
Aleutian Islands (al-loo'xhini), 12. 
Algiers (al-jeerz'), war with, 152. 
Al-gon'kins, 16. 
Alien law, 141. 

Alleghany or Allegheny, 81, 97. 
Altamaha (awl-ta-ma-haw'), 88, 90. 
Amendment, fifteenth, 207. 

fourteenth, 204. 

thirteenth, 198. 
Amendment, religious, 131. 
Amendments, twelve, 138. 

of 1814 proposed, 151. 
Amerigo Vespucci (ah-may-re'ijo ves- 

poot'chee), 25. 
Amherst, General, 99. 
Amidus, Philip, 33. 
Amnesty bill, 205. 
Aniln''. Major (an' dray), 117. 
Andros, Sir Edmund, . r i0, 66, 71, 77. 
Annapolis, 75, 120, 230. 
Antietam [on-tee' tarn), 191. 
Anti-Federalists, 124, 184. 
An-ti-no'mi-nn, 63. 
Anti-Slavery Society, 174. 
Apaches [ah-pah'chez), 18, 251. 



Ap-po-mat'tox, 201. 

A-quid'neck, 72. 

Arbitration, 72, 211, 229, 231, 248, 

252. 
Archdale, John, 87. 
Argall, Captain, 45, 51. 
Arizona, 177, 251. 
Ar-kan'sas, 92, 166. 
Arlington grant, -48. 
Arnold, Benedict, 109, 117, 118. 
Arthur, Chester A., 256, 260. 
Articles of Confederation, 110, 123. 
Ashburton Treaty, 168. 
Ath-a-bas'cas, 19. 
Atlanta, 198. 
A-trat'o routes, 255. 
Attorney-General's office, 243. 
Aztecs, 6, 19, 28. 

Bacon's Rebellion, 48. 

Bahamas, 19, 25, 88. 

Bainbridge, Commodore, 152. 

Bal-bo'a, 28. 

Baltimore, 75, 150, 187, 252. 

Banks, 95, 118, 153, 163, 166, 167, 

193, 194, 213, 219, 253. 
Bankrupt laws, 206, 243. 
Baptists, 63, 71. 
Bar-ba'does, 84, 86. 
Barlow, Arthur, 33. 
Beaufort (bn'fnrt), 27, 88, 188. 
Beau-re-gard', General, 186, 1S9. 
Behring's Strait, 12. 19. 
Bennington, 112. 127. 
Berkeley, Sir William, 48, 75, 84. 
Berlin Decree, 144. 
Bethlehem, 81. 
Biarni, 22. 

Bienville (be-onrj-veel'), 94, 131. 
Biloxi, 93, 134. 
Blackfeet, 18, 246. 
Black-Hawk War, 132, 163. 
Black Hills, 211, 245. 
Blen'ner-has-sett, 143. 

297 



298 



Index. 



Blockade acts, 143. 
Bonaparte, Napoleon, 140, 144. 
Boone, Daniel, 133. 
Boston, 61, 100, 104, 107, 109, 165. 
Braddook's defeat, 98. 
Brainerd, David, 77. 
Breakwaters, 228. 
Breckinridge, John C, 178, 181. 
British Orders in Council, 144, 147. 
Brooklyn, 54, 230. 
Brown, John, 181, 186. 
Buchanan, James, 178, 249. 
Buena Vista (bway'na vees'ta), 171. 
Bull Run, 1S7, 191. 
Bunker's Hill, 107, 159. 
Burgoyne, General, 107, 112. 
Bui'ling-ame Treaty, 254. 
Burr, Aaron, 142, 143. 
Burritt, Elihu, 180, 230. 
Butler, General, 187, 188. 

Cabinet, the, 137, 216. 

Cab'ot, John, 30. 

Cabot, Sebastian, 30, 31. 

Cabrillo (ku-breel'yo), 29. 

Cal-a-ve'ras, 177. 

Calhoun, John C, 161, 163. 

California, 29, 32, 172, 174, 185, 196. 

Indian tribes, 18. 
Campeachy, Bay of, 28. 
Canada, 38, 9().'l47, 166, 168, 252. 
Canals, 157, 235. 
Canon (kan-yon 1 ). 
Cape Breton, 96. 
Caribs, 19. 

Carlisle, Indians at, 232, 233. 
Carolinas, 33, 83, 101. 
Carteret grant, 75. 
Cartier (kar-tee-ay 1 ), 38. 
Catawbas, 17, 85. 
Cayugas, 17. 
Census, 237. 

Centennial exhibition, 214. 
Cerro Gordo, 172. 
Chambersburg, 197. 
Champlain (sham-plain 1 ), 39, 90. 

Lake, 98, 111, 148, 150. 
Chancellorsville, 191. 
Charleston, 86, 109, 117, 186, 195, 199. 
Charters abolished, 48, 66, 71. 
Chattanooga, 195. 
Cherokees, 17, 161, 198. 
Chesapeake, affair of the, 145, 146. 

and Ohio Canal, 157. 

Bay, 44, 73, 123. 
Chicago, 132, 252. 



Chick-a-mau'ga, 195. 

Chickasaws, 17, 95, 131, 134, 162. 

Chic-o'ra, 27. 

Chinese, 227, 238, 252, 254. 

Chinooks, 19. 

Chippeways, 16, 132. 

Choctaws, 17, 95, 134, 162. 

Chronology, European, 40, 106, 136, 

183, 263. 
Cibola (se'bo-lah), 29. 
Civil service reform, 258. 
Clarendon Colony, 83. 
Clay, Henry, 152, 163, 176. 
Clayborne, William, 74. 
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, 255. 
Cliff-Dwellers, 10, 251. 
Coal, 158, 194. 
Coast survev, 224. 
Cod, Cape, 34, 50, 60. 
Colleges, 63, 239. 

Coligny, Admiral (ho-leen-ye'), 39. 
Colonial policy, English, 102. 

union, plans for, 122. 
Colonization, 152, 180, 193. 
Colorado, 10, 213, 238. 

Biver, 29, 251. 
Columbia, (S.C.), burning of, 199. 
Columbus, 24. 
Co-man'ches, 18. 

Committees of Correspondence, 122. 
Confederacy, Southern, 182. 
Confederation, Articles of, 110, 123. 
Confederations compared, 127. 
Congregationalists, 58, 101. 
Congress organized, 125, 137. 
Commercial depression. See Panics. 
Connecticut, 51, 54, 69, 130. 
Constitution, national, 123, 151. 
Constitutions, State, 130. 
Consular service, 218. 
Continental Congress, 105, 108. 
Contreras (kon-tray'ras), 172. 
Co-rinth', 189. 
Cornbury, Lord, 77. 
Cornwallis, General, 117, 118. 
Cornplanter, 149. 
Cor-o-na'do, 29. 
Cortereal (kor-1ay-ray-aV), 32. 
Cor'tez, Hernando, 29. 
Cotton, 46, 88, 134, 166. 
Cotton-gin invented, 234. 
Courts, United States, 138, 243, 249. 
Creeks, 17, 150, 160. 
Crow Indians, 18, 246. 
Crown Point, 78, 108. 
Cuba, 25, 26, 90. 



Index. 



299 



Culpeper grant, 4S. 
Currency Bureau, 219. 
Custom-houses, 220. 

Da-ko'ta, 211, 237, 245. 

Dakotas. See Sioux. 

Darien Canal routes, 255. 

Darien, Isthmus of, 28. 

Davis, Jefferson, 182, 201. 

De Ayllon (day ile-yon,'), 26. 

Decatur, Stephen, 152. 

Declaration of Independence, 109. 

Deerfield, 94. 

De Gourgues (de goon/), 40. 

Do Grasse, Count (de graksi'), 119. 

De Lesseps (de lay sep'), 250. 

De Monts (de mong'), 39. 

Denys of Honfleur, 36. 

Delaware, 51, 52, 54, 78, 80, 81. 

Delaware and Hudson Canal, 15S, 159. 

Delaware Bay, 51, 157, 228. 

Delawares, 16, 98. 

Democrats. See Political Parlies. 

Departments, government, 216. 

De Soto, Ferdinand, 28. 

D'Estaing (des-tantf), Count, 114. 

Detroit, 94, 132, 147. 

D'Ibcrville (dee-ber-veel 1 ), 93. 

Diplomatic service, 217. 

Dismal Swamp Canal, 157. 

District of Columbia, 141, 176, 192, 

231, 245. 
Douglas, Stephen A., 178, 181, 182. 
Draft, the, 196. 
Drake, Francis, 32, 33. 
Dred Scott decision, 185. 
Dubuque (doo-book'), 170. 
Duluth (doo-looth'), 179. 
Du Quesne (doo-kauc'), 97, 99. 
Dutch, the, 47, 50, 82. 

Edict of Nantes, 86. 
Education, 63, 178, 208, 239. 

compulsory, 240. 
Edwards, Jonathan, 89. 
Egede, Hans (n/'e-de), 22. 
El Do-ra'do, 174. 
Electrical inventions, 235. 
Eliot, John, 62. 
Emancipation, 180, 192, 199. 
Embargo Act, 141. 
Emigration, 226. 
Employment of children in factories, 

240. 
Endicott, John, 01, 64, 70. 
Enforcement Act, 207. 



Eric, 21. 

Erie Canal, 157. 

Erie, Lake, battle of, 148. 

Erie tribe, 17. 

Escambia, 154. 

Eskimos, 19. 

Espiritu Santo (es-pe 1 re-too san'to), 

29. 
Established Church of England, 48, 

59, 75, 87. 
Eutaw Springs, IIS. 
Ewell, General, 191, 200. 

Farrac.ut, Admiral, 190, 195, 198. 

Federalists, 124, 140. 

Ferdinand of Spain, 24. 

Fernandez, Francisco, 2S. 

Fillmore, Millard, 174. 

Finances. See Banks, Specie, Panic*. 

Fires, great, 132, 165. 

Fish Commission, 244. 

Fisheries dispute, 252. 

Five Nations. See Iroquois. 

Flat-heads, 18, 19, 246. 

Fletcher, Governor, 80. 

Florida, 26, 99, 154, 182. 

Fort Pillow massacre, 194. 

Fort Rosalie, 94. 

France, aid from, 112, 114, 118. 

wars averted with, 139, 140. 
Franklin, Benjamin, 98, 105, 110, 1 12, 

119, 122, 235, 241. 
Fredericksburg, 191, 194. 
Freedmen, 238. See Amendments, 

Education. 
Freedmen's Bureau, 207. 
Fremont, Captain, 173. 
French colonization, 36. 

and Indian War, 90. 

in Mexico, 206. 

neutrals, 98. 
Friends. See Quakers. 
Frobisher, Martin, 32. 
Frontenac, Count, 93. 

Gadsden Purchase, 177, 251. 
Gage, General, 99, 104. 
Gallatin, Albert, 139, 151. 
Garfield, James A., 257. 
(ienet (zhe-nar/), 139. 
Geneva Arbitration, 211, 230. 
Georgia, 88, 115, 130, 134, 160, 198. 
German town, 80, 1 13. 
Gettysburg, 1 '•) 1. 
Ghent, Treaty of, 152. 
Gila (he'lah) River, 177. 



300 



Index. 



Gilbert, Humphrey, 32. 

Gnad'en-liiit-ten, 81. 

Gold, 174, 176, 213, 216, 253. 

Gomez, Stephen, 27. 

Gorges, Ferdinando, 66. 

Gosnold, Bartholomew, 34. 

Government, colonial, 45, 54. 56, 60, 

62, 71, 72, 74, 77, 80, 83, 86. 
departments, 216. 
Grant, Ulysses S., 189, 195, 207, 232. 
Great Awakening, 89. 
Greenland, 19, 21. 
Grenville, Sir Richard, 33. 
Grijalva (yre-hal'vah), 28. 
Guadalupe Hidalgo (gioah-da-loo'pay 

e-dal'go), 173. 
Guanahani (gwan-a-hah'ne), 25. 
Guilford Court-House, 118. 

Hackensacks, 53. 

Halifax, 97, 109, 253. 

Hamilton, Alexander, 137, 143. 

Hampton, Indians at, 233. 

Harbor construction, 228. 

Harper's Ferry, 181, 187. 

Harrison, William Henry, 147, 167. 

Hartford, 52, 69, 151. 

Harvard College, 63. 

Haverhill, 94. 

Hayes, Rutherford B., 215, 251. 

Hayti. See San Domingo. 

Hennepin, 92, 131. 

Henry, Patrick, 155. 

Hessians, 109, 111, 112. 

Hispaniola. See San Domingo. 

Homestead Act, 236. 

Honduras, 25, 30. 

Housatonic, 51. 

Howard, General, 208, 247. 

Howard University, 208. 

Hudson, Henry, 50. 

Hudson's Bay, 32, 50. 

Hu'gue-nots, 39, 86. 

Hurons, 14, 17, 38, 92, 133. 

Hutchinson, Anne, 64. 

Iceland, 21. 
I'da-ho, 246. 
Illinois. 130, 131. 
tribe. 16, 17. 
Immigration, 226, 242. 
Independents, 58. 
Indian Bureau, 231. 
Indian tribes, 12, 20, 238. 
Indians, civilization of, 62, 65, 81, 89, 
208, 232. 



Indian Springs Treaty, 160. 

Indian Territory, 163, 232, 245. 

Indiana, 130, 131. 

Ingolf, 21. 

Intercolonial wars, 90. 

Interoceanic ship-canal, 255. 

Interior Department, 231. 

Internal improvements, 156. 
revenue, 221. 

International arbitration. See Arbi- 
tration. 

Intoxicating liquors, 86, 89, 100, 138, 
221. 

Intoxicating liquors and Indians, 53, 
77, 98, 141, 149, 206, 211. 

Inventions and discoveries, 41, 106, 
183, 234. 

I'o-wa, 170. 
tribe. 18. 

Iron manufacture, 103, 161. 

Iroquois (ee'ro-kwah), 16, 17, S5, 90, 
92, 97, 98. 

Isabella of Spain, 24, 25. 

Jackson, Andrew, 151, 156, 161. 

Jackson, " Stonewall," 191. 

Jamaica,, 25. 

Jamestown, 43, 49. 

Japan, treaty with, 177. 

Jay, John, 119, 137. 

Jefferson, Thomas, 110, 140, 142, 155, 

159. 
Jesuits, 92. 

Johnson, Andrew, 189, 19S, 201, 203. 
Johnson, Sir William, 97. 
Joint High Commission, 216. 
Joliet {zho-le-ay'), 92, 133. 
Jones, John Paul, 116. 
Juan de Fuca (hivan day foo'ka), 29, 

248. 
Juarez (hwah'rez), 206. 
Judicial power (U. S.), 126, 243. 

Kamt-schat'ka, 12. 
Kanawha (ka-naw'toah), 194. 
Kansas. 178, 192, 223, 237. 

tribe, 18. 
Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 178, 185. 
Kearney, General, 172, 250, 
Kearsarge', 192. 
Kennebec, 58, 67. 
Kentucky, 102, 133. 
Kieft, William, 52. ' 
King George's War, 97. 
King Philip's War, 48, 62, 64, 67. 
King William's War, 93. 



Index. 



301 



King's Mountain, 117. 
Ku-Klux, 207. 

Labrador, 30, 32. 

La Clede, 155. 

La-fa-yette', General, 113, 118. 

Lands, public, 235, 239. 

,La Salle, Chevalier, 92, 132. 

Law's Mississippi scheme, 94. 

Lecompton Constitution, 179. 

Lee, Robert E., 190, 197, 200. 

Legislative power (U. S.), 125. 

Le'high, 81. 

Leif (life), 22. 

Leisler (lise'ler), Jacob, 56. 

Lenni-Lenapes, 16. 

Lewis and Clarke, 170. 

Lexington, 107, 240. 

Liberia, 152, 231. 

Life-saving service, 225. 

Light-houses and buoys, 225. 

Lincoln, Abraham, 181, 198, 201. 

London Company, 42, 59. 

Long Island, 3j5, 51, 53, 70, 111. 

Lookout Mountain, 195. 

Loudoun, Earl of, 98. 

Fort, 133. 
Louisburg, 96, 97, 99. 
Louisiana, 92, 94, 99, 139, 142, 170, 

198, 207. 
Louisville, 133, 157, 253. 
Lutherans, 82, 89. 

Madison, James, 146. 

Madoc, 22. 

Magellan, 27. 

Maine, 34, 65, 67, 93, 128, 168, 223. 

Manassas, 191. 

Manhattan Island, 51. 

Manufactures and trade, 63, 102, 105, 

120, 160, 213, 261. 
Maracaybo, Lake, 25. 
Marietta, 131, 143. 
Mariposa, 177. 

Marquette (mar-kef), 92, 132, 133. 
Maryland, 73, 80. 
Mason grant, 66. 
Mason and Slidell, 188. 
Mason's and Dixon's Line, 80. 
Massachusetts, 35, 61, 68, 70, 103, 

120, 130, 240. 
Massasoit, 60. 

Mauch Chunk (mock-chunk'), 159. 
MeClellan, General, 187, 190, 191. 
Meade, General, 195, 197. 
Mediation, 151, 229, 257. 



Meigs, Fort, 148. 

Melendez (may-len'deth), 40. 

Memphis, 189, 253. 

Mennonites, 227. 

Merrimac, 61, 67. 

Merrimac, and Monitor, 190. 

Metacomet, 64. 

Meteoric shower of 1833, 165. 

Mexicans and Mexico, 7, 19, 28, 143, 

168, 171, 206. 
Miamis, 16, 131, 138, 147. 
Michigan, 132. 
Mi-ka'do, 177. 
Milan Decree (mil'len), 144. 
Milwaukee, 133. 
Minsi or Minisinks, 81. 
Minneapolis, 179. 
Minnesota, 179, 237. 
Minuits, Peter, 51, 81. 
Mississippi, 134, 182. 

jetties, 228. 

River, 27, 29, 92, 133, 139, 142, 
189. 

scheme, Law's, 94. 
Missouri, 154, 188. 

Compromise, 154. 
Mobile, 94, 198. 
Mobilian tribes, 17. 
Modocs, 210. 
Mohawks, 17, 53, 95. 
Mohicans or Mohegans, 16, 65. 
Moingona, 170. 
Mon-he'gan, 68. 
Monmouth Court-House, 115. 
Mo-noc'a-cy, 197. 
Mo-non-ga-he'la, 97. 
Monroe, James, 145, 153, 159. 

doctrine, 156, 207. 
Montana, 211,246. 
Montcalm (mont-kahm'), 98. 
Monterey, 171. 
Montezuma, 29. 
Montgomery, 94, 134, 182. 

General, 109. 
Montreal, 38, 92, 99. 
Moquis (mo-keez'), 10, 29, 250. 
Moravians, 22, 81, 89, 90. 
Mormons, 196, 249. 
Mound-Builders, 7, 244. 
Mowers and reapers, 234. 
Murfreesboro', 190, 195. 
Muskingum, 131. 

Nanticokes, 73. 

Napoleon Bonaparte, 140, 144. 

Narragansetts, 16. 



26 



302 



Index. 



Narvaez (nar-vah-eth'), 27. 

Natchez, 17, 94. 

National Museum, 244. 

Navajoes, 251. 

Naum-ke-ag', 61. 

Navigation Acts, 49, 85, 102. 

Navy abolished on the lakes, 153. 

Navy Department, 230. 

Nebraska, 206, 237. 

Negotiation, 145, 146, 168, 170, 199, 

229. 
Nevada, 173, 196. 
New Albion, 75, 176. 
New Amsterdam, 52. 
New England, 22, 27, 34, 57. 
Newfoundland, 33, 36, 73. 
New France, 38, 92. 
New Hampshire, 65, 66, 127. 
New Haven, 69, 71, 116. 
New Jersey, 75, 101. 
New Mexico, 172, 176, 177, 250. 
New Netherland, 50, 69, 75, 82. 
New Orleans, 94, 151, 190, 253. 
Newport, 72, 100. 
New Spain, 29. 
Newspapers, 136, 259. 
New Sweden, 52, 81. 
New York, 55, 104, 111, 114, 128, 

165. 
Nez Perces War (nay pair-say'), 247, 

255. 
Niagara, 99, 149, 165. 
Nicholson, Governor, 75. 
Ni-o-bra'ra, 206. 
Norfolk, 44, 108, 187, 190. 
No-na'tum, 62. 
Norridgewocks, 95. 
North Carolina, 83, 101, 134, 188, 

199. 
North-Eastern boundary, 168. 
Northern boundary, 170. 
Northmen, the, 20. 
North-West boundary, 109, 248. 
passage, 32. 

Territory, 130, 138, 154, 184. 
Nova Scotia, 22, 68, 94, 96, 98. 
Nullification, 163. 

Oglethorpe, James, 88. 
Ohio, 130, 131. 

Company, 97. 
O.jeda (o-hay'da), 25. 
Omaha (p' ma-haw), 18, 159. 
Omnibus Bill, 176 
Oneidas (o-ni'daz), 17. 
Onondagas (on-on-daw' gaz), 17. 



Orders in Council, 144, 147. 

Oregon, 32, 170, 179, 248. 

Osages, 18. 

Os ce-o'la, 165. 

Oswego, 98. 

Ottawas, 16, 90, 99. 

Pacific Railways, 159, 177, 207, 
209, 213, 246, 247, 249, 251, 
254. 
Paine, Thomas, 119. 
Pakenham, General, 151. 
Palo Alto, 171. 
Palos (pah'loce), 24. 
Pamlico Sound, 33. 
Panama, 28, 174. 

Railway, 255. 
Panics, 153, 1-66, 213: 
Paris, Peace of, 99. 
Partisan warfare, 117, 121, 188. 
Party spirit, 140, 161, 258, 262. 
Passports, 218. 

Pastorius, Francis Daniel, 101. 
Patents, 233, 243. 
Pawnees, 18. 
Peabody fund, 208, 240. 
Peace, seeking, 79, 105, 122, 139, 211, 

256. 
Pemaquid, 68. 
Pcnn, William, 76, 78, 122. 
Pennsylvania, 77, 97, 98. 

system of canals, 157. 
Pensacola, 154, 230. 
Pensions, 233. 
Peoria, 132. 
Pequod War, 70, 72. 
Persecutions. See Baptists, Quakers, 

etc. 
Peru, 29. 
Petroleum, 194. 
Philadelphia) 79, 104, 110, 113, 165, 

214. 
Phipps, Sir William, 06, 93. 
Pierce, Franklin, 177. 
Pilgrim Fathers, 5S. 
Pineda (pe-nay'tha), 29. 
Piscataqua (pis-kat' a-kwaw), 67, 93. 
Fizarro, 29. 
Pittsburg, 99, 252. 
Plymouth Colony, 58, 65, 70. 

Company, 42, 58, 66. 
Pocahontas, 44, 15. 
Political parties, 104, 140, 167, 175, 

179, 181. 
Polk, James K., 169. 
Poncas, IS. 



Index. 



303 



Ponce de Leon (pon'say day lay-On'), 

26. 
Pontiao's conspiracy, 99, 132. 
Popham, Sir George, 35. 
Portland, 34, 149, 165. 
Port Royal (Canada), 39, 45, 94. 

(Carolina), 83, 86, 188. 
Portuguese, 23, 30, 31, 32, 42. 
Post-Offico Department, 241, 258. 
Postal Union, 242. 
Potatoes taken to England, 33. 
Potomac, 73, 123, 157, 181. 
Pow-ha-tans', 16, 44. 
Pre-emption Act, 236. 
Presbyterians, 76, 86. 
Presidential office, 125, 140, 216. 

third term.HO, 151,215. 
Presque Isle (preak-ee¥), 97. 
Prince Henry of Portugal, 23. 
Princeton, 89, 111. 
Pring, Michael, 35. 
Printing-press, 63, 136. 
Privateering. 116, 121, 139, 148, 192. 
Proprietors, Colonial, 51, 55, 66, 67, 

73, 76, 78, 83, 88. 
Providence, 71. 
Public lands, 235, 239, 241. 

libraries, 239. 

schools. 210. 
Pueblos (pweb'/oce), 10, 14, 29, 250. 
Puget Sound, 248. 
Pulaski, Count, 113. 
Puritans, 61, 66, 71, 74. 

Quakers, 48, 64, 74, 76, 78, 84, 97, 

101, 209. 
Quebec, 90, 99. 
Queen Anne's War, 94. 
Quin-ni-pi-ack', 70. 

Railroads, 159. See also Pacific 

Railways. 
Railroad strike, 252. 
Raleigh, Walter (raw'le), 33. 
Rap-pa-han'nock, 191, 194. 
Reconstruction, 203. 
Redemptioners, 101. 
Red Jacket, 149. 
Reed, Joseph, 118. 
Regulators, In I. 
Religion, State, 131. 
Religious toleration, 72, 74, 78, 89. 
Reorganization, 203, 205. 
Representative Assembly, first, 45. 
Republics compared, 127. 
Republicans. See Political Parties. 



Republics, South American, 156, 275. 
Re-sa'ca de la Pal'ma, 171. 
Revenue, 103, 137, 193, 220. 
Rhode Island, 65, 71, 160, 169. 
Ribault, Jean (re-bo'), 39, 83. 
Rice, 88, 94, 237. 
Richelieu (rish-le-uh'), 92. 
Richmond, 44, 143, 182, 190, 197, 200. 
Right of search, 145, 146, 152, 1S9. 
Rio Grande, 171, 177, 251. 
Rio Maneos, 214. 
Rivers and harbors, 228. 
Roanoke Island, 33, 188. 
Roberval, 38. 

Rochambcau (ro-sham-bo'), 119. 
Romanists, 48, 49, 73, 89, 176, 246, 

250. 
Rum. See Intoxicating Liquors. 
Ryswick, Peace of, 93. 

Sacs and Foxes, 16, 164. 

Salem (Mass.), 65; (N. J.), 76. 

Salmon Falls, 93. 

Samoset, 60. 

San Diego (de-ay' go) , 176. 

San Domingo, 25, 27. 

San Francisco, 32, 176, 226, 252. 

San Joaquin (wah-keen'), 177. 

Santa Fe, 30, 172, 250. 

Saratoga, 1 13. 

Savannah, 89, 115, 116, 198. 

Scandinavians, 20, 133, 246. 

Sche-ncc'ta-dy, 93. 

Schools. See Education. 

Schuyler (ski'ler), 109. 

Schuylkill (skool'kil), 53, 158. 

Scott, Winfield, 150, 171, 177. 

Secession of tile South, 182, 184. 

Sedition Law, 141. 

Seminoles, 154, 163, 165. 

Senecas, 17, 92, 149. 

Serapis, 116. 

Seven Days' Battle, 191. 

Seward, William II., 1S3, 199, 201. 

Sewing-machines, 234. 

Shackamaxon, Treaty of, 78. 

Shawnees, 16, 98, 133, 147. 

Shays's Rebellion, 121. 

Shenandoah Valley, 191, 197. 

Sheridan, General, 195, 198. 

Shiloh, 189. 

Sierra Mad re (mali'dray), 250. 

Sierra Nevada, 173. 

Signal service, 229. 

Silver demonetized, 253. 

Silver-mining, 174, 196. 



304 



Index. 



Sioux (son), 16, 17, 179, 211, 215. 
Six Nations. See Iroquois. 
Slavery, Indian, 25, 27, 32, 70, 86, 95. 
negro, 47, 54, 88, 89, 100, 124, 
131, 154, 175, 178, 180, 184, 

192, 198. 
Slave-trade, 100, 155, 16S. 
Sloughter, Henry, 56. 
Smith, Captain John, 44, 58. 
Smithsonian Institution, 244. 
Society, state of, 49, 120, 121, 202, 

222, 262. 
Sothel, Seth, 85. 

South American republics, 156, 275. 
South Carolina, 86, 117, 134, 163, 182, 

207. 
Spain and Spaniards, 19, 23, 30, 42, 

86, 90, 100, 139, 142, 154, 250. 
Specie payments, 95, 121, 153, 166, 

193, 253. 
Stamp Act, 103. 
Standish, Miles, 60. 
Star Route frauds, 258. 
State, Department of, 217. 

sovereignty, 124, 184. 
States admitted into the Union, 135. 

are admitted, how, 130. 
Statistics, Bureau of, 226. 
St. Augustine, 29, 40, 87. 
St. Clair. General, 131, 138. 
St. Croix River, 128. 
Steamboats, 158. 

Stephens, Alexander H., 182, 199. 
Stillwater, 112. 
St. Lawrence, 36, 42, 94. 
St. Louis, 155, 188. 
St. Marie (mah-ree'), 132. 
Stockbridge Indians, 89. 
Strikes, 213. 

Stuy vesant (sti've-zant), 52, 53, 69, S2. 
Sugar in Louisiana, 94. 
Sullivan's expedition, 116. 
Sumner, Charles, 185. 
Surveys, Territorial, 238. 
Susquehanna*. 73. 
Suwanee {soo-ioah'ne), 154. 

Tariff, 160, 163. 
Taylor, Zachary, 171, 174. 
Tea tux. 104. 
Tecumseh, 131, 146, 149. 
Telegraphs, 235. 
Temperance, 211, 222, 256. 
Tennessee, 102, 133, 189, 198. 
Tenure of Office Act, 204. 
Terra del Fuego (fway'go), 27. 



Territorial surveys, 238. 
Territories, 128, 245. 

slavery in the, 184. 
Texas, 168, 171, 227. 
Thames (terns), 70, 149. 
Ticonderoga, 98, 108, 112. 
Timber-Culture Acts, 237. 
Tippecanoe, 147. 
Tobacco, 33, 46, 49, 74, 221. 
Topeka Constitution, 178. 
Town-meetings, Massachusetts, 62. 
Treasury notes, 166, 193. 

Department, 218. 
Tree-planting. See Timber-Culture. 
Trenton, 111. 

Tripoli, war with, 142, 152. 
Tuscaroras, 17, 85. 
Tyler, John, 167. 

UCHEES, 17. 

United Colonies of New England, 70. 
United States Bank, 153, 163, 166. 
United States named, 111. 
Utah, 130, 173, 176, 196, 249. 
Utes (yoots), 214. 
Utrecht, Treaty of, 94, 100. 
Union of, 127. 

Van Buren, Martin, 166. 

Van Twiller, Walter, 52. 

Vas'co da Ga'ma, 31. 

Velasquez (vay-las'keth), 26. 

Venezuela, 26. 

Vera Cruz, 29, 171. 

Vermont, 127. 

Verrazzani (ver-rad-zah'ne), 36. 

Versailles, Peace of, 119, 128. 

Vice-President's office, 125, 140. 

Vicksburg, 192, 195, 253. 

Viking Harold, 21. 

Vincennes, 131. 

Virginia, 33, 42, 84, 103, 130, 182, 241. 

Wahsatch' Mountains, 249. 
Walking Purchase, 80. 
Walla- Wallas, 19. 
Wam-pa-no'ags, 60, 64. 
War between the States, 184. 

Department, 227. 

losses, 65, 94, 120, 173, 201, 262. 

of 1812, 149. 

of the Revolution, 107. 

with Mexico, 171. 
Wars with France averted, 139, 140. 

prevented, 229. See also Peace. 
Seeking. 



/I 



Index. 



305 



Washington, George, 97, 108, 111, 

119, 124, 137, 155, 157. 
Washington City, 141, 150, 187, 216. 

Territory, 246. 

Treaty of, 211, 252. 
AVashita (ionsk'e-taw), 143. 
Wayne, Anthony, 116, 118, 138. 
Webster, Daniel, 163, 168. 
Weehawken, 143. 
Wesleys, 89. 

West Point, 117, 159, 228. 
West Virginia, 194. 
AVeymouth, George, 35. 
AVhiskey insurrection, 138. 
AVhitefield, George, 81, 89, 90. 
AVhite Plains, 111. 
AVilderness, the, 197. 
AVilkes Exploring Expedition, 167, 

244. 
AA'illamette, 179. 
AVilliams, Roger, 64, 71. 
AVilliamsburg, 50. 
AVilmot Proviso, 173, 185. 



AVilson, Henry, 207. 
AVinnebagoes, 18, 133, 164. 
Winthrop, 61, 64. 
AVisconsin, 132. 
AVomen's colleges, 240. 

temperance crusade, 212, 222. 
Wyandots. See Huron*. 
AVyoming Territory, 211, 238, 247, 
248. 

Valley, 81, 115. 

Yanktons, 18. 
Yardley, Governor, 45. 
Yellow-fever epidemic, 253. 
Yellowstone Park, 238, 247. 
Yemassees, 85. 
Yorktown, 118. 
Yosemite (yo-sem'e-te), 177. 
Yucatan, 28. 

Zeisbergkr, David, 81. 
Zeni (dziiij'ne), 22. 
Zinzendorf, Count, 89. 



THE END. 



26* 



BY THE SAME AUTHOE. 



A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

Including some Important Facts mostly omitted in 
the Smaller Histories. 

DESIGNED FOR GENERAL READING AND FOR ACADEMIES. 



TESTIMONIALS. 

" An honest and truthful book, and worthy of welcome acceptation by all 
who can apjjreeiate the warp and woof of American history in their true 
texture and strength, without the gloss of a partisanship or patriotism that 
can see only one side of a question or one aspect of a fact." — Literary World. 

"In refreshing contrast to the common run of school histories, which seem 
to be all cast in one mould, and vary very little from one another in substance. 
Mr. Leeds has set before himself a different task, — to write a history of the 
civilization of the country, rather than its wars and political history, — and 
his success is good." — Nation. 

"It is noticeable for its comprehensiveness and its thoroughness." — Pub- 
lishers' Weekly. 

" Written in a style of rare candor and truthfulness." — London Echo. 

" We are prepared to speak of it in high terms of commendation. The 
work is not sectional. . . . An air of calmness and candor pervades the book." 
— Nashville Christian Advocate. 

"I have read the history with great satisfaction. In every point of view 
it is good." — Whittier. 

"I fear it will be long before a history will be written in the interest of 
man's highest well-being, and place what promotes this in the foreground. 
But this has been done here in respect to our beloved country, — done with 
judgment, impartiality, skill, and sound taste. The book is pure and whole- 
some, clear in narrative, suggestive in the best sense, and accurate, — avoiding 
errors which have long been repeated and re-repeated." — President Magoun, 
of Iowa College. 



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